TNT Tropang 5G fans would have to wait for the debut of Jordan Heading.
Jordan Heading showed up in street clothes to support his new team, TNT, as it whacked Blackwater, 108-82, in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Friday, June 6.
While Heading looked like he was ready to hop on the court and drop some long bombs for the Grand Slam-seeking squad, his coach, Chot Reyes, is not rushing his return.
“He’s still day-to-day because, No. 1: he still has the back injury he’s still trying to recover from, and No. 2: he’s been inactive for a long time, so hindi ganoon kadali 'yon,” said Reyes after the match at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate.
Jordan Heading (middle) supports his TNT Tropang 5G teammates from the sidelines for now. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
After the league approved the deal that saw the Tropang 5G give away the signing rights to two-time Finals Most Valuable Player Mikey Williams to Converge for Heading, the latter joined the team’s practice at the Moro Lorenzo Gym inside Ateneo’s campus.
Reyes was quick to add that Heading has yet to participate in full-contact drills.
“But he’s been able to join a little bit in our practice. Not yet complete, full-contact practice, but we're not rushing it,” Reyes said of the former Gilas gunner.
“My mentality, I think, our team’s mentality is we play the last two games with who we have.”
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While there’s a possibility Heading would suit up before the end of the elimination round, Reyes reiterated that the team will not force the issue.
“If Jordan can join us, that's great. But if not, we've got to figure out a way to win with the players in the team,” Reyes said.