Raymond Almazan of Rain or Shine. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
With the PBA on three-day break for the commemoration of the Holy Week, players around the league have their own ways of spending the coming days whether it be going home to their provinces or favorite vacation spots to unwind.
But that’s not to forget about the essence of Lent and some players are taking the opportunity to nurture their faith in God.
“For me, the lenten season is about reflecting on the death, passion and resurrection of Jesus so we try to make little sacrifices and also we try to commemorate what happened to our Lord,” said Rain or Shine guard Chris Tiu.
“Usually, what I do is to attend retreats or if I can’t do it for a full three, four days then we do daily recollections, watch movies about the life of Jesus or read about it, so basically, it’s about that.”
But Tiu said the ongoing 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup and its unpredictable schedule has prevented him from going to retreats.
“We only found out about our team schedule after this game and I don’t think I’ll be able to do a retreat this year, maybe just daily recollection and just try to catch up with the family, there’s no other work so just spend quality time with my family, my baby is 10 months now. “
His teammate Raymond Almazan will also use the four-day break to catch up with his family.
“I want to spend time with my family, with my baby and my wife because now I practice twice a day and I just rest when I get home after practice and I usually see my baby asleep so now is the best time for me to bond with them.” the 6-foot-7 center said.
Almazan also shared he used to go with his older brother, who performs flagellation, a religious ritual in an attempt to repent one’s sins during the Lenten season.
“Before, I used to whip my brother in the back (as part of a ritual) in our province in Bataan,” Almazan recalled. “My brother did that for five years because he felt he had his shortcomings as a father. Even though he was my brother, I don’t hold back, I make sure I hit him hard because that’s his penitence and he has to feel it.”
GlobalPort swingman Dylan Ababou spends the Holy Week by talking to God. He said it’s his way of asking forgiveness and reflecting on what he should do to be a better version of himself.
“Since it’s the Holy Week, we have no work and we have no games and this is the time for God. If many would notice, there are times when we have hard time sleeping even if we’re really sleepy and tired. And for me, it’s God telling us, ‘Let’s talk,’” said Ababou.
“This Lenten season is the best time to talk to God and reflect. It’s also time to ask God what he wants us to do and ask for his forgiveness for the sins we’ve done,” he added. “Eventually, God will give us what we asked for. He’ll give us revelations on what we have to do and he’ll let us feel peace and joy.”