ALEX Cabagnot will have to spend the New Year festivities with a broken nose.
The San Miguel guard failed to finish the team's PBA Philippine Cup game against Meralco on Wednesday night after suffering the injury following a foul committed on him by Cliff Hodge.
Cabagnot sank one of two free throws awarded to him before he was finally taken out of the game for good. He was later taken to the nearby San Juan De Dios hospital for treatment.
"He wants to come back. Pero I think next game na. We will not sacrifice his health," said coach Leo Austria.
[See SMB right where it wants to be entering the new year]
The injury dampened what had been a brilliant offensive night for Cabagnot, who finished with 20 points on 7 of 11 shooting, while grabbing six rebounds, two assists and three steals.
He had 12 of his output in the opening quarter when he presided over a fiery San Miguel start that had the team racing to a 32-13 lead.
"He really played hard tonight and he wants to win," said Austria of the veteran guard. "But I know he's a tough guy."
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