Injured Hatfield hurting more inside

The Gran Matador-PBA Fiesta Conference maybe reaching the pinnacle point of its elimination round but for one Coca-Cola Tiger, as hurtful as it may sound, he could only watch.

Still hampered by a fractured right foot, Rudy Hatfield says he may not be back until his team’s game against Talk and Text on May 26.

"It (injury) still hurts and I don’t want to force it," he explains.

After averaging 12.5 points and 9.9 rebounds in the All-Filipino Conference last season and nearly winning the MVP plum, Hatfield could only keep himself busy through a lot of television viewing and at one point, try an acting stint.

And though he comes to the Tigers every game and provides his teammates a lot of moral support, the sense of helplessness just could not be removed.

"I’m not an actor but a basketball player and I really want to play. It’s just a good thing that our team is really good and that we are winning. Everyone is stepping-up to fill in the gaps," he narrates.

But at such a crucial point in the competition, his team seems to be truly missing his services. Coke has been out-rebounded by their opponents in two games of their last three games—an area wherein Hatfield is a known force.

Despite these drawbacks though, Hatfield gives a lot of credit to his teammates who have worked hard to reach such an ideal position in the conference. It has somewhat enabled him to view his injury as a mere step back to enable him to improve as a person and as a player and strive to contribute more when he returns to action.

He also tells his fans that once he’s back, they should not expect much from him but to look forward to a lot of good things for his team that’s doing real well with or without him.

"The team’s already there but on my part I’ll take it slow but steady, they have to be patient with me," he concludes before walking — off with a hopeful smile.