Jonas Tibayan is not letting the incident with Michole Sorela in the MPBL that landed him in the hospital prevent him from taking a chance at getting selected in the PBA Rookie Draft.

“Even before the incident, I already had plans to enter the Draft,” Tibayan said during the league’s Draft Combine at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. “I didn’t think nor use that as a gauge, knowing that I can still go through it.”

READ: MPBL: Jonas Tibayan undergoes surgery after Michole Sorela hit

Tibayan was the recipient of a sucker punch from Sorela during a regional league game in Batangas City, forcing the Mindoro Tamaraws forward to undergo surgery to repair a broken jaw.

Sorela, who played for Gensan, was later banned for life and fined P200,000 by the MPBL. Tibayan politely declined to make a comment on the punch when asked by reporters.

READ: MPBL: Jonas Tibayan’s injuries lead to lifetime ban for Michole Solera

But Tibayan said he’s on the road to making a full recovery, though his activity in the Draft Combine was limited to taking part in measurements and biometrics. He has yet to see action in the mini-tournament that is part of the Combine.

“I’m still recovering while trying to catch up. But I’ll still try to do my best, especially with the Draft coming up,” he said.

If selected, Tibayan is looking to provide some of the things he’s known since playing for Batang Gilas and National University in the UAAP.

“I’ll still be someone who will be physical, but not dirty, and a player who will do the hardwork,” said Tibayan.