Escoto returns from ACL injury, admits conditioning not at peak

Kia’s Russel Escoto. PBA IMAGES

It took more than a year but Russel Escoto is back and running for Kia.

It wasn’t, however, the best of comebacks.

Escoto played just 24 minutes in the Picanto’s 90-85 loss to TNT Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena, and the loss wasn’t the only thing that bothered him.

“I’m happy that I’m back and playing again, but of course I’m yet to get into tiptop shape,” said Escoto, who tore his ACL in January 27, 2017, in Filipino.

“I tire easily, I think my conditioning is still lacking but I’m working on it day by day.”

Escoto scored five points and grabbed five rebounds on his return, and in his first game back he already saw both the positives and negatives in the way the Picanto plays.

“We play as a team now, there aren’t that much isolation sets,” said Escoto of his team which had 19 assists, four more than what TNT did. “But in the end some players still played individualistic. I hope we can continue playing as a team.”