Mark Yee suits up for Davao Occidental despite injury. MPBL PHOTO
A cloud of uncertainty remains over the MPBL Lakan Season—and the entire sports world, for that matter—but Davao Occidental star Mark Yee insists his team must stay ready in the event that the Tigers’ knockout clash for the South division crown pushes through. The suspension of play because of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic could not have come at a better time for the battle-tested veteran, who played through a partial anterior cruciate ligament tear and a torn calf in the last five games of the playoffs.
Yee, 38, is doing his own rehab at home with the enhanced community quarantine enforced as the Philippines fights its own battle against the disease that has claimed the lives of thousands worldwide.
The playoffs have been a punishing stretch for Yee, as the Tigers have been traveling and playing for almost four weeks. Their last game was March 11 when they beat Basilan, 81-76, to force a Game 3.
“It’s important that I was able to get a break and I’m able to rehab my injury,” Yee said in Filipino. “I’m just praying that this COVID-19 pandemic is over. We have to continue praying and keeping our faith in God.”
Yee is one of a slew of former PBA players who found second winds in their careers in the 31-team regional league, which is now on its third season.
“God is healing my injury,” Yee said. “I have mixed feelings about the quarantine. I’m happy because there’s time at home with family and a time to work out, but of course, you feel for those people whose jobs have been affected.”
Davao has home-court advantage in Game 3, but Yee insists the Tigers can’t be complacent.
“I don’t think any team has an advantage especially with the long break,” Yee said. INQ