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Jonathan Grey talks about injury, NorthPort's new acquisitions

By Xy-Zha Cabanlong

PASAY CITY - On the day that NorthPort took on Blackwater at the Cuneta Astrodome, there was one Batang Pier spotted on the bench in civilian clothes, has a cast on his left leg and could not walk without crutches but still went out to support the team, Jonathan Grey.

Grey met a freak accident that tore his patella tendon while in training.

The injury would keep him at the sidelines for 10-12 months.

"Nangyari to last Saturday [June 15], sa practice namin. Ang nangyari, after practice sabi sa amin, mag extra kami – shooting and anything, tapos magta-try akong mag-dunk. Bago pa lang ako umangat, pag gamit ko ng left knee ko, pag talon, pumitik na sya. May narinig na ako nag-snap, ayun aksidente," Grey recounted to Dugout Philippines.

At first, Grey was in denial about what happened to him, he does not want to stop playing because he wants to give the best that he can contribute for NorthPort.

"Nung una, hindi ko matanggap kasi yung team namin, ang ganda na ng nilalaro and gusto ko makatulong sa team pero siguro kung ano man yung nangyari, accept ko na lang. Siguro, may dahilan si Lord bakit nangyayari ‘to so, move on na lang. Kailangan ko na lang magpalakas para makabalik ako," Grey said.
Jonathan will sit out the rest of the season due to a freak injury in practice. Xy-Zha Cabanlong
Since he will be out for a long time, Grey vows to use it wisely, especially in keeping himself stronger and better.

While he will be limited to being NorthPort's sixth man in the meantime, Grey said he will be focusing on improving himself—an "overhaul" at that thought.

"I have the time to improve and to change lahat ng mga bagay na kulang sa akin. Siguro ito yung tamang panahon para sa craft ko, paglalaro—improve ko yung style of playing ko and yung body ko—maging more careful ako, diet, lahat siguro. Ito yung time na ayusin lahat ng mas okay pa," the shooting guard said.

After it went abuzz that he is out due to injury, fans, teammates and fellow players from other teams had expressed an outpouring support on social media, something that Grey is very much thankful for because it gives him the motivation to move forward into working on the better version of him.

"Sobrang overwhelming yung support. Yung mga loyal fans na nag-message sa akin sa Instagram every day, nagkakamusta sila. Yung mga teammates ko, mga friends ko na players sa ibang team, kahit nga yung mga kilala ko lang na naglalaro lang din ng basketball - lahat sila nag memessage sa akin. Sending me 'get well soon' wishes," Grey shared.

At the moment, Grey's function is very limited.

Since the cast on his left foot hinders him to drive, he cannot visit the team practice at Green Meadows nor come to that game NorthPort played against Rain or Shine to support the 8-man Batang Pier.

"Naawa ako sa mga teammates ko nun kasi eight lang sila na naglaro. Pero sobrang natuwa ako nung nagawa pa nila dalhin sa overtime yung game tapos nanalo pa kami," he shared.

Perhaps Grey missed the team a little too much that he really pursued going to the game and support the team, with him being accompanied by someone.

Xy-Zha Cabanlong
Seeing his team play with the newly-acquired players coming from the trade with Ginebra, Grey has nothing but good words to say about Sol Mercado, Jervy Cruz and Kevin Ferrer.

"Syempre alam na natin sobrang malaki yung matutulong nila. Kitang-kita naman, first half pa lang, kumpyansa yang mga yan. At least ngayon meron pang tutulong and ang ganda ng standing namin e. Dapat mag tuloy-tuloy to. Sana tuloy-tuloy lang. Yun yung pinagpi-pray ko din," Grey said.

In parting, Grey wishes nothing but the best for NorthPort as he watch his team from the sidelines.

He knows that a lot of things will still happen to the team moving forward in the conference and that he is one with them in the goal of hopefully getting that top seed at the end of the eliminations.

He knows the fact that NorthPort is a potential contender at the Commissioner's Cup, but he was also too quick to say that he does not want to be too complacent about it.

"Ayoko i-jinx e, so one game at a time. Alam ko marami pang mangyayari. Quarters, semisn ang dami pa nyan e! Ang goal muna siguro, collect wins para makapunta sa top 2 tapos ayun, para may advantage kami," Grey concluded.

He may be forced by his injury to stay at the sidelines, cheering for his teammates but Grey assures NorthPort fans that he will come back better and stronger.

Follow her on Twitter: @_ichbinxyzha