It took Oluseyi Ashaolu all the guts and the heart he could muster to help NLEX at the start of the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Playing with an injured right knee, Ashaolu helped the Road Warriors to a 2-1 record in the first three games of the conference with their last game ending in a brutal 102-72 loss to Magnolia on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With former NLEX import Aaron Fuller temporarily taking his place, Ashaolu can finally begin the rehabilitation process for his knee.
“I feel like my body will respond the right way, I will just follow the doctors and listen to them,” said Ashaolu who had 21 points and nine rebounds against the Hotshots last Wednesday. “I will listen to the trainers, the rehab specialists, and just take it week by week and see how I am.”
“I will put my trust in those guys, they’re the professionals.”
Ashaolu has a partially torn patellar tendon in his right knee even before the conference started, but he still did his work putting up averages of 27 points and 15 rebounds in the three games he played.
Fuller is returning to NLEX after his stint in the 2017 Governors’ Cup but this time it will only be until Ashaolu gets cleared to return to play for the Road Warriors.
Ashaolu, though, is confident Fuller will be an able replacement to help the Road Warriors.
“He was here last year, so he’s familiar with the team,” said Ashaolu. “I wish him nothing but success, he’s part part of the team now, and I don’t look at him as an opponent, I don’t look at him as a rival.”
“I hope they could continue to win without me, I wish him the best of luck.”