From sidelines, Tiongson continues nursing big dreams for Dyip
Four months ago, Juami Tiongson imagined himself replicating—and even improving—Terrafirma’s playoff run in the last PBA Philippine Cup.
His dreams of doing that in the Governors’ Cup fizzled following a roster revamp and a wave of injuries that kept Christian Standhardinger and even himself from finishing the Dyip’s conference.
Now, Tiongson’s a mere spectator and he’s not quite sure how to feel about it.
“I’ve been watching a lot of games and it’s a mixed feeling,” the Dyip playmaker told the Inquirer on Sunday. “I’m a fan but also a competitor, so I can’t help but crave for the competition as well.”
“I get impatient sometimes, hoping that the next conference just start [already],” he added.
Tiongson was sidelined four games into the new season after a partial hamstring tear he sustained during the game against Magnolia. He was later on shutdown by the Terrafirma brain trust, officially snuffing out his dreams of helping the Dyip make the playoffs.
The 2021 Most Improved Player said he is now fully recovered and cleared for activities. But a platform for him to perform won’t be available until the Commissioner’s Cup.
“I’ve ramped up my workout last week, and I’ve just started to do a little bit of skills training again already. I just need to improve on my conditioning and getting my rhythm back. Overall, I’m feeling great and healthy again,” Tiongson shared.
The next conference, with the Gilas Pilipinas’ Fiba campaign in consideration, is projected to get going around early December, and that’s only when Tiongson can truly make up for lost time at Terrafirma.
For now, he’s sticking on his routine geared towards recovery and rooting for pals and former teammates Stephen Holt and injured Isaac Go as Barangay Ginebra battles the winner of the Converge-San Miguel clash in the Governors’ Cup semifinals.
“I actually started (getting back to fitness) the day after I got injured,” he said. “Obviously, the goal was to get back as early as possible and be with the team but I didn’t feel 100 percent and risk aggravating my injury especially knowing my contract expires this December I’ve re-centered myself for this coming conference after having a little bit of a mental break after what’s happened.”
“I’m happy for my guys. Not just for Stephen and Ice (Go) but also with Javi (Gomez de Liaño, who is now in South Korea), who I heard is doing great,” Tiongson said. “Proud of all of them and they know I’m rooting for them.”
“Our chat group isn’t really active right now since I’m the only one on vacation.” he said in jest. “I don’t want to be a nuisance, knowing how they’re all locked in on their goal.” INQ
