JM Calma, now part of the San Miguel Beermen, is still recovering from the ACL injury he suffered a year ago.
JM Calma sat on the bench at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate donning a San Miguel jersey for the first time Saturday, April 5.
The 6-foot-6 Calma was still carefully trying to get a grasp of Leo Austria’s system that has won the Beermen nine championships in the PBA.
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A couple of days ago, the team acquired his services in a trade with NorthPort.
"Sinabi sa akin ni coach Bonnie (Tan). Sinabi sa aking lilipat na ako ng team. Nagpapraktis pa kasi ako doon, eh. Around two weeks na. And then sinabi sa akin," said Calma.
Calma is still trying to regain his full strength after tearing his ACL a year ago in a Season 48 Philippine Cup game against Rain or Shine at the same venue.
"Halos kababalik ko lang sa kanila (NorthPort). Galing akong rehab. Mga ten months akong hindi nakakaensayo. Pagbalik nila, bumalik na rin ako. Sumabay na rin ako sa practice nila sa All-Filipino," said Calma.
"Hindi pa naman 100 percent. Nagre-rehab pa ako ngayon. Puwede naman pero dinadahan-dahan ko palang."
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Calma is set to play backup to eight-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo.
But he knows he has to earn his minutes.
“OK lang po para sa'kin. Dahan-dahanin ko lang 'yong sistema ni coach. Positive naman ako palagi. In the future, siguro, ma-gi-gain ko naman 'yong minutes ko. Sanay naman ako sa sitwasyong ganito. Positive lang araw-araw," Calma said.
He admitted that he has mixed emotions about leaving the Batang Pier but said that he will just move forward and focus instead on the path that the Lord has laid for him.
"Medyo mixed emotions. Masaya na may kaunting sad. Pero ganoon talaga. We need to move on kung saan ako inilagay ng Panginoon. Doon ako magpo-focus and kung ano 'yong nasa harapan ko," said Calma.