No surgery needed for Ali Peek

Good news for fans of professional basketball player Albert Henry "Ali" Peek, who was shot in Mandaluyong City last week: he will not need surgery, at least for now. Talk'N'Text coach Vincent "Chot" Reyes cited a team statement quoting neurosurgeon Dr. Gap Legaspi as saying that an angiogram showed there is no injury to Peek's artery. Reyes also quoted Legaspi as saying the bullet is beside the artery, not pressing on it, so there is enough space for fibrous tissue to form around the bullet. "Based on that, there is no urgency to take it out now. No surgery needed at this time. No need to treat anything, but need to monitor," he said on his Twitter account. An unidentified man shot Peek outside a gym in Mandaluyong City last Monday. Police said robbery may be the motive and that the suspect had at least one accomplice. On the other hand, Reyes also said Peek's psychological and emotional recovery may take longer than the physical. "If Ali can get back to normal activity soon that is the true gauge of success," he said. He said normal activity means anything he was doing before the incident, including playing pro basketball. Meanwhile, B-Meg team governor Rene Pardo assured Peek of continued prayers for his recovery. "Hey Ali, heard the good news that surgery no longer required. We at Bmeg continue to pray for your full recovery. God bless you," Pardo said. "Thank you sir," Peek tweeted back. — KBK, GMA News