MANILA, Philippines – RR Garcia took the court Wednesday, February 17, and not once did he let his painful shoulder injury from two months ago haunt him again.
The Phoenix Fuel Masters guard did not look like he injured his shooting arm at all when he shot 6-of-8 triples on his way to setting a new career-high of 33 points in his first game back from injury, as Phoenix claimed its first-ever win in the 2016 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
"I did not think about my injury anymore because what happened was really painful. I just played," Garcia said in Filipino after Phoenix overcame NLEX, 118-106. "If I think about my shoulder nothing will happen to me."
The former Far Eastern University standout was sidelined in December when he hurt his right shoulder in an overtime game against Tropang TNT. Garcia's wrist collided with Jayson Castro's forearm, ultimately affecting his shoulder.
Garcia, who averaged 17 points and 3 rebounds in just 8 games last conference, said he did not undergo surgery but instead went heavy on rehabilitating and strengthening his shoulder.
"We missed RR. We missed that kind of spunk in our team," said head coach Koy Banal. "We missed him so much and he also missed playing basketball in the PBA. That’s why maybe he was so pumped up."
"RR is a different kind of animal," Banal added.
Aside from missing basketball, Garcia also found motivation and strength in Phoenix management's full support of the team in its first game. (READ: Phoenix, formerly Barako Bull, thrilled with new PBA beginning)
"It was our first game and we had a new name and they were fully supporting us," Garcia said. "They talked to us so we were inspired that we need to win and repay management's support." – Rappler.com