Sangalang back to old deadly form

MANILA, Philippines -- After missing the whole of last season due to partial tears on his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and MCL (medial collateral ligament) in his right knee, incoming third-year pro Ian Sangalang feels he’s back to his old, deadly form for the Star Hotshots.

The 6-foot-5 Sangalang, the second overall pick in the 2014 PBA Draft, said he is now comfortable playing five-on-five basketball since getting cleared medically last August.

And he’s got a lot of people to thank for helping him overcome the mental and physical strain brought about by the injury.

“Parang na-feel ko sa sarili ko nakabalik na ko. Hindi ko kasi iniisip ang ACL eh. Iba na ang teknolohiya ngayon, magaling,” Sangalang told Philstar.com, who top scored for the Hotshots with 20 points in their narrow 83-81 escape act against the NLEX Road Warriors last Wednesday.

“Siyempre, nagpapasalamat ako sa family ko, sa girlfriend ko, sa mga teammates ko at coaching staff na lagi akong kinakausap and they push me to get better, kasi isang pagsubok lang iyan na di ko kailangan sumuko,” he added.

The former San Sebastian star experienced double pain last season after seeing the Hotshots fail to defend their three championships.

Sangalang, then a rookie, played an integral part in Star’s (then known as San Mig Super Coffee) dominant championship run that saw them register a rare grand slam in the 2014 season.

As he returns to action this coming season, Sangalang said he’s not all too concerned with the system change under rookie coach Jason Webb.

In fact, he has been working hard to regain his sharp form, patiently working on his inside game and trying to get his timing back on defense.

“August ako na-clear (to join practice and play). Pero ang bilis nga, naka-recover na ako,” he said.

“Kapag wala ka na naramdamang pain wala ka ng takot.”

Webb wants to see the Hotshots push the ball at every given opportunity, a change which the left-handed power forward welcomes since everybody remains a threat on the floor.

“Kailangan mo rin mag-ask for the ball. Kailangan ding gumagalaw ka at dapat makisama ka lang sa loob kasi mga beterano naman sila eh,” explained the former PBA D-League MVP.

“Kapag open ka, or binigyan ka bola, eh di go. Ang importante tulungan at bigayan lang

kasi di naman nila sinasabi na, ‘ako si James Yap, pasahan mo ako’. Normal lang sila na kasama,” he added.

Star faces new-look Rain or Shine on opening day next Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.