Ian Sangalang fights through dehydration to help Magnolia get past NorthPort

Ian Sangalang played through dehydration to provide a huge help for the Hotshots. Dennis Acosta

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY--Magnolia's injury bug has been one reason why the team is starting its PBA Philippine Cup campaign slowly.

However, Coach Chito Victolero revealed on Wednesday night that the Hotshots had another thing to worry about ahead of their game against erstwhile unbeaten NorthPort Batang Pier.

Although it's not an injury, it still concerns the health of a Magnolia star.

"Dehydrated si Ian [Sangalang] before the game," Victolero revealed, adding that the six-foot-seven center had to take intravenous fluids just to keep him energized for the game.

Sangalang himself confirmed his health status.

"Yesterday, parang biglang sama ang pakiramdam ko after practice. Umuwi ako nang sobrang bigat ng pakiramdam ko, so parang na-dehydrate ako," he said. "Di ako makatulog nang maayos. Ang dami kong iniisip dahil nga sa naramdaman ko."

However, with some key players already in injury bay despite the pain being tolerable enough to play through it, Sangalang, aware that mere dehydration is not a reason to sit out the game, played on despite the possible consequences to it.

"Sabi ko, 'Maglalaro ako. No excuse.' Kahit ano ang nararamdaman ko at ang kalalabasan ng laro ko, lalaro ako kaysa naman yung di ako maglalaro. Syempre yung mga kasama ko, makikita na naman na kulang kami. Basta ang sinabi ko, 'Huwag mo akong intindihin, Coach. Basta maglalaro ako. Pag gusto mo akong paglaruin, maglalaro ako,'" he further said. "Sabi ko sa sarili ko, 'Walang excuse. Laban lang.'"

Sangalang only went 3-for-10 from the field in 29 and a half minutes of play as a starter for eight points but his veteran presence already sufficed the needed leadership for the Hotshots to get past the Batang Pier at the Mall of Asia Arena for their first win in the conference.

"Throughout the game, naging positive lang ako. Di ko na iniinda kung ano ang nararamdaman ko. Kailangan naming manalo eh," he further said.

Magnolia, however, is in for a busy week as they will play San Miguel on Friday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo before returning here to take on Ginebra in the first Manila Clasico of the young PBA season.

The good news: Sangalang said that he is on a good track for quick recovery.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno