Ed Daquioag imagined himself returning to the same location where he sustained a horrifying injury that sidelined him for a period.

The seasoned combo guard played in a PBA Governors’ Cup game Saturday night between Terrafirma and Meralco, his first action at the Ynares Center following a fractured fibula seven months earlier.

While entering the arena, he was not afraid to declare that he was feeling nervous and other things. Moreover, one cannot hold him responsible.

Looking back, on June 11, 2022, during the Dyip’s Philippine Cup match against NorthPort, Daquioag was actually performing well until, calamity happened.

At the 5:26 mark of the third quarter, Ynares Antipolo, a former star player for UST, landed awkwardly after fighting Robert Bolick’s attempt off a drive. His ankle twisted outward, as multiple replays demonstrated.

Of course, he was in great pain and had to be carried on a stretcher out of the playing area before being taken to the hospital.

All of that is still fresh in Daquioag’s memory, which is why he was afraid to return to the spot where many people got hurt during the Philippine Cup alone, including his colleague Isaac Go.

However, in order to rid himself of any remaining concerns related to that one crucial night, he just elevated everything to the Almighty.

In an interview, Daquioag mentioned that he prayed before returning to the location and expressed his worries to God.

Daquioag was ecstatic despite not witnessing any activity. His trip back to Ynares was successful, as Terrafirma defeated the previously unbeaten Bolts, 96-88, to claim the conference’s final victory.

It was Daquioag’s second game back, and he feels incredibly fortunate to still be able to play after suffering the second significant injury of his career (he had previously had a microfracture in his other ankle).

He is also playing with a lot more confidence now that he knows that the losses he has had will only make him stronger.