ALCANTARA—Ping Exciminiano’s road to redemption has been long and winding but he finally crossed the finish line on Sunday after he led the KCS Computer Specialist-Mandaue to the Visayas crown in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup with a stunning Game Three win over the heavily favored MJAS Zenith-Talisay City Aquastars.
The championship was Exciminiano’s first in his professional career, proving that all the hard work he put in to return from an Achilles and hamstring injury was well worth it.
“I’m very blessed to go through this especially after everything that happened to me. I had that Achilles injury and I worked very hard to return,” said Exciminiano after the penultimate match of the exciting three-game series.
“I’m thankful to God for letting Coach Mike (Reyes) take me and to Coach Josh (Reyes) and TNT for letting me come here. I’m just very grateful for the opportunity and this is actually the first time that I’ve won a championship,” the native of Olongapo, Pampanga shared.
Exciminiano’s career was in shambles after Rain or Shine pulled out their contract offer with the defensive sentinel after he tore his Achilles while playing in a “panalay” game. However, he was given the chance to train with TNT assistant coach Josh Reyes late last year along with the likes of Gryann Mendoza, Valandre Chauca, and Chris Javier. The fruit of his labor ended up being a one-year deal with the Tropang Giga.
But TNT knew that the two-time PBA All-Defensive team member needed to get games in his belt as a ruptured Achilles is one of the toughest injuries to recover from for an athlete.That is why TNT loaned the 31-year-old combo guard to KCS-Mandaue, a team being handled by Josh's uncle, Mike Reyes.
Exciminiano, though, was far from 100% when he entered the Alcantara bubble as he was nursing a hamstring injury. Still, Reyes was patient with him—something that Exciminiano appreciated.
“Coach Mike’s patience really meant a lot. It never wavered even when I suffered a hamstring injury. He was really concerned about me,” Exciminiano said. “He said he needed me to be healthy for the second round and even then, he still rested me a lot.”
The rest and recovery eventually paid dividends for Exciminiano as he pushed himself to the limit in the finals. Up against an MJAS-Talisay team that did not lose a single game in the entire tournament, Exciminiano did it all, scoring, rebounding and most of all, guarding all of the Aquastars big guns including Paulo Hubalde, Darrell Menina, Egie Boy Mojica, and, even, Patrick Cabahug.
In the winner-take-all Game Three, Exciminiano ended up with 15 points, five rebounds, and three steals while helping hold Hubalde—Talisay’s heart and soul—to just four points and five turnovers.
“I told myself ‘I maybe tired but I’m sure they’re tired as well.’ Let’s just see who will waver first,” said Exciminiano of his mindset down the stretch.
Exciminiano's efforts eventually led to KCS-Mandaue ruling the Visayas leg with an 89-75 Game Three win. (JNP)