BY NOLI CORTEZ

AN ATHLETIC background and a positive attitude make up for a powerful combination, more lethal than Romel Adducul’s sickness.

"Hindi nga ako nag-wo-worry," said Adducul, who was recently diagnosed with a type of nasal cancer expected to sideline him for at least the Smart PBA Fiesta Cup that starts tomorrow.

"Ang tingin ko kasi dito, parang trial lang," added the Purefoods center. "I’ll keep on fighting this and I’m sure I’ll overcome this, with the help of God"

Adding to his high morale, in direct contrast to the alarm and shock initially expressed by his wife Jocelyn, other family members and close friends, was his continuous daily physical regimen that includes lifting weights and playing the sport he loves.

"Kailangan kasing tuloy na physically fit, para lumakas ang immune system," explained the Cagayan native.

It also helps the malady was diagnosed early, discovered during what was supposed to be a routine medical check-up in the latter stages of the Philippine Cup finals last month.

"Meron kasi siyang sipon na matagal gumaling," related Adducul’s long-time agent-manager, Ed Ponceja. "When he was examined, nakita na ‘yung mass."

Adducul’s malady is known as nasopharyngeal cancer, afflicting the area behind the nose and the back of the throat, which is the hollow tube at the upper part of the throat that starts behind the nose.

He has been undergoing chemotherapy session and radiation treatments from Monday to Friday at the Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital.

There are already encouraging signs. From roughly the size of a golf ball when it was initially discovered, the lymph node has already drastically shriveled.

"Parang holen na lang," Adducul said with a chuckle.

Adducul’s doctors expect him to recover in six months. In that time, when he has had complete rest and his regimen augmented by proper diet and continuous treatment, the node should be small enough to be surgically removed.

He doesn’t want to wait that long, however.