Rhenz Abando will have a brief Manila homecoming by next week as the Anyang Jung Kwan Jang battles TNT in the East Asia Super League.
The two teams face each other on Jan. 24 at the Philsports Arena, marking the first time the Gilas Pilipinas stalwart will travel with his Korean ballclub to the country with a game on hand.
Unfortunately, the 25-year-old Filipino won’t be suiting up in the 7 p.m. encounter at the Philsports Arena as he continues to recover from the harrowing fall he suffered during the Red Boosters’ 85-81 loss to Goyang Sono in the Korean Basketball League last month.
Abando collided with Goyang Sono’s Chinanu Onuaku that left him with a fracture on his third and fourth lumbar vertebrae, a sprained wrist, and a concussion.
Although expected to be out of commission for about a month, the former NCAA Rookie-MVP out of Letran said he’s feeling a little better now following a video released by Anyang Jung Kwan Jang, the reigning KBL champion, this week on its social media platforms.
EASL already made the announcement of Abando coming to Manila to be with the Red Boosters, who are currently in second place behind undefeated Chiba Jets (4-0) in Group A with an even 2-2 record.
TNT, which still has a slim chance of making the semis, is tied with Taipei Fubon Braves at 1-4 at the bottom of the standings.
Anyang prevailed over TNT in their first meeting in Korea last month, 105-97.