An ailing Aaron Fuller showed up for Rain or Shine on Sunday’s Game 3 of the best-of-five semifinals series against Magnolia, but the import barely showed signs of being affected by a hurting left eye, which he incurred the previous game.
Instead, he clearly led the Elasto Painters to an inspiring 111-106 overtime win by bringing in his usual energetic performance, putting his squad on the cusp of advancing to the Final Four of the PBA Governors’ Cup.
In front of an appreciative crowd inside the Ynares Center in Antipolo City, Fuller summoned all his strength, but visibly feeling his way around after being shaken by a poke on the eye he received from veteran forward Ian Sangalang.
But the numbers won’t lie as Fuller’s double-double game and the effort he had shown even as he was a few steps slower from his usual game, was enough to provide the inspiration needed by the Elasto Painters in regaining the upper hand in their race-to-three series.
“He was doubtful all the way until this afternoon,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. “I was told by our trainer that he was feeling a little better and that he wanted to play. Warrior talaga itong si Aaron. Tahimik lang siya. But he plays with a big heart. He was able to control his emotions and be able to carry our team on his shoulders.”
Fuller poured in 29 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and issued six assists, impressive outputs from a player who was a doubtful starter and reportedly going to be replaced.
But Fuller, who is on his fifth tour of duty, proved them otherwise as neither a poke on his eye nor the Hotshots could stop him from playing and helping the Elasto Painters in making a deep run to the playoffs.
“Hindi kami makakarating rito or mananalo ng larong ito kung hindi siya naglaro. Pero pinaghandaan rin namin na baka wala siya,” added Guiao. “In our last practice (Saturday), we were prepared to play without him. But of course, yung chances namin, medyo maliit kung wala kang import. I think he knows that and the warrior in him pushed him to play.”
Fuller also did a better job keeping ahold of his team when they lost an early 18-point lead, but he gathered the rest of the troops in regaining their second wind in the endgame.
Down the stretch, local players like Jhonard Clarito and Andrei Caracut also stepped up to help Fuller and deliver the baskets that mattered the most for the Elasto Painters.
