Cebuano hotshot returns: Hontiveros happy to be back on the court

PBA/Nuki Sabio

He played just five minutes and failed to score a point, but for Dondon Hontiveros, being back under the bright lights of the SMART-Araneta Coliseum is bliss.

The Cebuano hotshot has been out of commission since last October, when he blew out his knee in Petron’s first game of the season against the B-MEG Llamados. After surgery to repair his torn ACL and months of painstaking rehab, Hontiveros finally made his return Sunday in Petron’s 92-80 victory against the same B-MEG team.

Hontiveros told InterAKTV that he was happy with his cameo role. “It feels great to be there running, playing defense,” said the Petron guard. “[But] I wish I made the shots that I took.”

He missed all three of his attempts from the field, but contributed a rebound and an assist to the Boosters’ cause.

Petron coach Ato Agustin said Hontiveros still has yet to recover his feel for the game.

“Si Dondon, wala pa sa timing,” said Agustin. “Unti-unti kong pinapalaro para makuha niya yung timing niya.”

The coach added that he expects Hontiveros to play a larger role for the Boosters in their succeeding games, starting with their penultimate elimination round match against league-leading Rain or Shine this Saturday in Dumaguete City. After that game, the Boosters wrap up their elims campaign against Air 21 on June 29.

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