PTs engaged in their own showdown

SMART CLARK GIGA CITY, Philippines — Physical therapists and conditioning coaches are playing roles as vital as anyone else in the homestretch of the PBA bubble play.

TNT Tropang Giga’s Dexter Aseron, Meralco’s Benjamin Palarca, Ginebra’s Aspi Calagopi and Jandrick Kang and Phoenix’s Luis de Mesa, Dovic Sulay and Mark Mabazza are in a virtual showdown of their own on how to keep their troops healthy for the remaining days of the tough bubble grind.

Since the teams’ arrival last Sept. 28, they have been hands-on round the clock, attending to the players’ needs before, during, and after practices and games. Sometimes, even until midnight. There are no days off.

“Mahirap kasi every other day yung laro. Hindi lang injuries kundi pati yung recovery, food and sleep. Dapat naka-monitor ka,” said Aseron, also the resident PT of Gilas Pilipinas.

But those long hours of work and sacrifice are nothing to the great fulfillment of being part of the first sports bubble in Asia.

“The pandemic is filled with uncertainties. Maraming nawalan ng trabaho. We’re still lucky, so it’s our way of giving back. I’m pleasured and proud to be part of it,” said Palarca, who started as a volunteer PT for Purefoods in 1998.

“It’s really an honor and rare opportunity. From thousands of PTs in the country, we’re one of the luckiest people. It’s already a fulfillment,” said Sulay.