MARC PINGRIS and Chris Lutz, two players on their way to recovery from separate injuries, are currently fast tracking their development to top form as they are currently undergoing rehab at the Movement Performance Institute (MPI) in Los Angeles, California.
The MPI is the same institute where NBA stars Blake Griffin, Zach Lavine, Chandler Parsons and Tony Allen undergo rehab and strengthening procedure.
With only a week left to wrap up the strengthening procedure, Mr. Pingris, who is accompanied by star physical therapist Nick Ocampo, told BusinessWorld that they are scheduled to return to the country in a week’s time and resume the veteran player’s conditioning, this time on the playing court.
“When we finish our rehab early next week, we may need another four to six weeks of basketball specific conditioning in the Philippines,” wrote Mr. Ocampo in an online interview.
Mr. Pingris suffered a hip injury during their semifinals series against Barangay Ginebra in the Philippine Cup and the many-time All-Defensive member was sidelined the entire Commissioner’s Cup.
“We just started his final week of rehab then we will have reassessment with the doctor on his last day. Hip strength is steadily increasing and just occasional hip pain. He still goes hard in all exercises, including low impact cardio workout. Although we already started basketball specific movement drills, conditioning has yet to be introduced. We have been doing the rehab four times a week for the past three weeks,” added Mr. Ocampo.
But while Mr. Pingris is determined to get back in the season-ending Governors’ Cup, which opens on July 19, Mr. Lutz, who has been idle for more than a year, is still trying to get himself better.
Meralco coach Norman Black, who picked up Mr. Lutz this season after he was waived by the San Miguel Beermen, confirmed the uncertainty of the former Marshall University stalwart playing this coming conference.
“We’ll bring him back once he’s ready. I’m not sure if it’s this conference, but once he is ready and that’s the only time we’ll bring him back,” said Mr. Black. “He asked permission a few weeks back if he could undergo rehab in the US, so we allowed him. We’re all hoping for his full recovery.” — Rey Joble
