Ruther Abor is back in action for Emilio Aguinaldo College after his NCAA Season 100 campaign was cut short by injury.
Abor suffered an ankle sprain last season, forcing him to miss the second round of the men’s volleyball tournament.
Now fully healthy, the EAC captain is making the most of his comeback, leading the Generals in their battles this season.
“Lagi ko sinasabi sa kanila na gusto ko makabawi. Since, ayun nga, sobrang na-down ako from last season,” Abor told GMA News Online last Saturday following their five-set loss to the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
Abor sustained the injury during training in April and said it took two weeks before his cast was removed. He then joined training sessions in August as he continued to prepare for his comeback this year.
The fourth-year opposite hitter admitted the setback also affected his mental health, especially as it came during his first season as team captain.
“Since first time ko din as captain last year, feel ko din hindi ko nagampanan ’yung role ko nang maayos since wala nga ako doon,” he said.
“May regrets, pero hoping lang for the best ’yung iniisip ko lagi. Tapos kapag mag-isa ako at inaatake ako ng mental health [issues] ko, nag-proper breathing lang ako. Nililibang ko ’yung sarili ko, pinapapunta ko ’yung mga kaibigan ko.”
In this season alone, Abor has since found his rhythm, scoring at least 30 points in three straight games for EAC.
He poured in 32 points in a four-set win against Lyceum of the Philippines University, followed by a 36-point explosion against defending champion Arellano University in a five-set thriller. Despite the Generals’ loss to the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, Abor still delivered another 30-point performance.
While EAC also draws scoring from the likes of Frelwin Taculog and Michael Gela, Abor said he has fully embraced his role as one of the team’s primary offensive weapons.
“In-embrace ko na lang talaga siya. Ang lagi naman sinasabi sa akin dati, ang opposite talaga is nag-a-attack at nag-ba-block, since hindi naman kami pumapasa. So ayun ang pinanghahawakan ko,” Abor said.
“Kahit naka-30 points ako last time o maganda ’yung performance ko, hindi ko pa siya iniisip. Kasi the more na iniisip ko siya, the more na mawawala ako. Tuloy lang ako.”
As for his mentality this season, Abor kept it simple.
“Come back stronger lang. Ang pagbabalik.”
EAC now holds a 3-2 record in Group B of the classification phase.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
