MANILA – Negrense Mark Yee of the Davao Occidental-Cocolife Tigers is taking advantage of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Season break to heal from a knee injury he suffered during playoffs.
The Sagay City, Negros Occidental-native said that he is using the league’s pause – caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak – to work out and prepare himself for the Tigers’ do-or-die Game 3 against Basilan-Jumbo Plastic Steel in the Division Finals.
“Sobrang malaking bagay ito para sa akin kasi makakapag rehab ako kahit dito sa bahay at makakapaghanda para sa game. Bahay lang talaga, kaunting papawis. Sa ngayon, ang iniisip ko sana matapos muna ‘tong COVID. Dasal lang saka tiwala kay God talaga,” Yee said.
“Pinagaling na ako ni God, pero masaya na malungkot ako dahil sa quarantine. Siyempre, masaya kasi may time ako makapag-workout at makapaghanda para sa Game Three, pero malungkot kasi maraming mga tao yung naapektuhan at ‘di makapagtrabaho,” he added.
After he was initially diagnosed with a torn plantaris muscle on his right knee due to a collision in Game Two of the team’s quarterfinals showdown with Bicol Volcanoes last Feb. 21, MRI results revealed that the 38-year-old bruiser suffered a partial anterior cruciate ligament tear and a torn calf.
Despite the setbacks, Yee battled through the pain and managed to suit up in four of Davao Occidental’s last five playoff games.
With the future of the Lakan playoffs
still being uncertain, Yee insisted that the Tigers need to brace for every
possible scenario – including a win-or-go-home Game Three.
“Walang nakakalamang eh. Kahit home court namin or nasa amin ‘yung
momentum, kailangan namin pagtrabahuhan
nang maigi para makuha namin yung panalo,” Yee shared./PN
