In Antipolo, Terrafirma’s Joseph Gabayni wore goggles during Terrafirma’s game versus Phoenix Super LPG on the advice of Terrafirma management to improve his eyesight, which should result in greater game performance.
When he fails to catch passes owing to his bad eyesight, his teammates get angry, according to the former Lyceum big man.
Gabayni, who has astigmatism and a 200 and 175 grade in his right and left eyes, remarked, “Medyo nagkaka-problema na ako sa eyesight ko.”[ I’m having a bit of a problem with my eyesight], he continuous, “Nagagalit sila, may mga ibang pasa na masalo ko.” [They were angry, there were other bruises that I caught.]
“Sabi nila sa akin, ‘Ayusin mo ‘yan, mag-invest ka sa sarili mo, mga kailangan mo.’ Sabi nila sa akin, ‘Pagawa daw ako contact lens.’ [They said to me, ‘Fix that, invest in yourself, what you need.’ They said to me, ‘I’m going to make contact lenses.’]
Gabayni said the intention was to wear contact lenses, but they didn’t arrive in time for the game, so the Terrafirma physical therapist suggested he use goggles similar to those worn by Marlou Aquino in the past.
“Two days ago, nagpunta ako sa Quiapo, papagawa ako ng contact lens. Nagkataon na 10 working days daw ‘yung contact lens. Sabi ko kailangan ko ‘to eh. Kinakausap ko ‘yung PT namin, sabi niya, ‘Men, mag-goggles ka, balik mo yung dati, old school.’ [Two days ago, I went to Quiapo to make a contact lens. Coincidentally, the contact lens has been around for 10 working days. I said I need ‘to eh. I was talking to our PT, he said, ‘Men, wear goggles, go back to the old school]
“Nung una ayaw ko, sabi ko wala na nag-gaganun ngayon eh. Lahat contact lens, papaayos nila mata nila, ibabalik sa 20 to 20. [Pero] sabi ko sige maiba lang. Try natin kung magiging effective,” Gabayni stated. [At first I didn’t want to, I said no one is working now. All contact lenses, they will fix their eyes, return to 20 to 20. But I said go ahead just be different. Let’s try if it will be effective, ”]
Gabayni finished with 16 points and nine rebounds in one of his greatest outings in the PBA. More crucially, in Terrafirma’s 97-74 loss to Phoenix, the 27-year-old just had one turnover.
“’Yun ang kinalabasan. Umayos ‘yung game natin, medyo nakikita natin, gumaganda yung takbo natin sa loob ng court. Struggle lang kasi may mga vision na hindi ko nakikita, konti pa. Hindi pa ako sanay sa goggles. Three days ko palang siya ginagamit. Siguro sa next game mas maganda pa.” [That’s the outcome. Our game has improved, we can see a bit, our running on the court is getting better. It’s just a struggle because there are visions that I can’t see, a little more. I’m not used to goggles yet. I only used him for three days. Maybe the next game will be even better.]
“Ngayon lang ako nag-goggles. College, contact lens, provided ng school. Kahit papano may salary tayo, kailangan mag-invest kagaya ng sabi ng mga boss. Career mo ‘yan eh. Kung di mo gagawin ‘yun, masasira laro mo,” Gabayni also mentioned. [Just now I was wearing goggles. College, contact lens, provided by the school. Somehow we have a salary, we have to invest as the bosses say. That’s your career. If you don’t do that, your game will be ruined]
Gabayni stated that he intends to wear the goggles in the upcoming game.
“Kanina halos lahat ng pasa nasasalo ko ng maganda,” he said. “Oo kasi ganda ang nilalaro natin. Sana magtuloy -tuloy. Sana mas maganda laruin natin next game.” [Earlier, I caught almost all the passes well, “he said.” Yes, because we played well. I hope we continue. I hope we play better next game.]