Mark Yee fully-healed, ready for playoff do-or-die

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Diagnosed with a torn plantaris muscle, partial anterior cruciate ligament tear on his right knee and a torn calf, MVP candidate Mark Yee is raring to go into their do-or-die game 3 against Basilan-Jumbo Plastic.

Yee said that he is already excited for game 3, adding that he has already recovered and is doing preparatory rehab in his home to further strengthen his knee and calf.

With the league’s suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, putting Luzon under enhanced community quarantine, Yee took it as the best opportunity to heal his injury and proceed with his rehab to get prepared for game 3.

“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,” said Yee.

The Tigers wasted their home court advantage during game one, bowing down to Basilan, 72-74 while bouncing back big-time in game two in front of a hostile crowd, 81-76.

In those two games, Yee had to gut each game out, enduring the pain while playing through his injuries while still averaging his usual double-double numbers, albeit in limited playing time.

“Sobrang malaking bagay ‘to 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 virus, dasal lang saka tiwala kay God talaga,” Yee added.

With Yee back in his full form, will Davao score the easy win against Basilan or will Allyn Bulanadi’s magic work once again?