Reden Celda carries Columbian in his return from injury. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Sidelined with a hip injury the last two games, Reden Celda sure knows how to make a grand comeback.
Celda on Saturday returned in style, producing big numbers to help Columbian keep its slim playoff hopes alive with a squeaker over Phoenix in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The 27-year-old guard capped off his 17-point night with the game-winning floater with 9.3 seconds remaining as the Dyip chalked up their third win in 10 games.
READ: PBA: Columbian still in playoff run after stunning Phoenix
Celda’s clutch basket, though, wasn’t off a designed play. In fact, it wasn’t supposed to happen in the first place with Columbian coach Johnedel Cardel actually calling a timeout.
“Coach told us that we were supposed to call a timeout but I didn’t know. I just saw that the lane was open so I don’t know what would’ve happened had I missed, but we got the win and that’s what’s important,” Celda recalled in Filipino.
“I didn’t see that coach was telling me to call a timeout because I was trying to protect the ball. I just realized I was open at the free throw line so I took the shot.”
READ: Khobuntin’s hustle gives Columbian a chance
Celda shot 6-of-9 from the field and also collected four rebounds and eight assists in 26 minutes off the bench.
His return is just what the Dyip needed as they fight for a quarterfinals slot.
“We just need to win our last game so we can get momentum for the next conference. We don’t know yet if we’ll make the playoffs but coach told us that even if it’s a non-bearing game or not, we have to respect the game and play hard.”