Injured Ashaolu defies pain, doctor’s orders to lift NLEX anew

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

ANTIPOLO—No amount of pain or persuasion from any physician could stop Oluseyi Ashaolu from helping NLEX get to a good start in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

The Road Warriors have built a steady lead early in the conference with a 2-0 headstart and it was thanks in large part to Ashaolu, who’s playing tremendous basketball while being under excruciating pain.

NLEX deputy Jojo Lastimosa said Ashaolu has a “70 percent” partially torn patellar tendon in his right knee but has endured the suffering to put up big numbers.

“I probably shouldn’t be playing but I mean I’m here to play basketball, I’m a player, I’m going to keep playing,” said Ashaoulu, who put up 27 points and 13 rebounds in NLEX’ 123-107 win over NorthPort Sunday at Ynares Center here in Antipolo.

“Until we figure out a plan moving forward, I’ll keep getting wins for this team,” added Ashaolu.

Ashaolu was nothing short of spectacular in the Road Warriors’ opening day win over TNT when he finished with 33 points and 23 rebounds.

Lastimosa, who’s filling in for head coach Yeng Guiao who’s in Indonesia as the national team coach, was in awe of how Ashaolu’s been playing despite the bum knee.

“Olu’s awesome, he’s defying the doctor’s advice and I have news that he has actually a 70% tear, it means half of it is dangling already,” said Lastimosa. “I don’t know how he’s playing you got to give the guy credit he’s showing tremendous heart because he really wants to play.”

NLEX, though, has already contacted former Governors’ Cup import Aaron Fuller to replace Ashaolu.

Lastimosa said Fuller, who played in 2017, will arrive on Tuesday but Ashaolu still has to play NLEX’s game on Wednesday due to the shortage of preparation time.

Ashaoulu said he’s still thankful that his injury won’t need any surgery and he just needs to undergo therapy to fix the problem.

“If I need surgery I won’t be playing, I just need some rest and rehab,” said Ashaolu who’s been with the Road Warriors since the Commissioner’s Cup. “That’s a good thing, I don’t need surgery, that’s a blessing.”