Veteran big man Ian Sangalang of Magnolia looks to use the preseason games which will begin on 21 May in fast-tracking his way to tip-top shape for his return in the coming season of the Philippine Basketball Association in October.
Dubbed as the PBA On Tour, all the 12 competing teams will participate in the tournament in which the league intends to bring the games to different cities in the metropolis and nearby provinces.
Sangalang is excited about the prospect of coming back and playing for the Hotshots.
In the season-ending Governors’ Cup, Sangalang played only one game after he was diagnosed with a rare thyroid ailment, which affects the hormones and the components of a person’s bloodwork and needed medication and rest.
But Sangalang has been cleared to return to practice.
“I was able to get clearance last month, but this time, there’s no limit,” Sangalang wrote via Messenger to Daily Tribune.
“I was able to work out and do jogging and is now allowed to do on-court activities.”
A former stalwart of San Sebastian and member of San Mig Coffee’s grand slam team in 2014, Sangalang is trying to get himself ready for the next PBA season. But whether he’ll come and play in the preseason will likely depend if he can get himself in tip-top condition.
“I’ll be preparing for the next conference,” he added.
“As for the preseason, hopefully, I can get myself in good condition.”
Nick Ocampo, who works as Magnolia’s physical therapist, added that it’s best for Sangalang to prepare more for next season, but could use the preseason in fast-tracking his conditioning by continuously attending workouts.
Magnolia, a consistent playoff performer, has failed to get past the quarterfinal round as it lost to Meralco in the recent Governors’ Cup.
In the coming preseason tournament, the Hotshots will begin their campaign on 31 May against Converge to be held at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
