ALASKA rookie sensation Calvin Abueva will undergo X-ray and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) tests on Wednesday to determine the extent of the back injury he suffered late in the Aces’ 82-95 loss to archrival San Mig Coffee on Tuesday night.
Gus Vargas, Alaska’s head trainer, said Abueva's back stiffened and he suffered from spasms in the fourth quarter - the reason the former NCAA MVP suddenly fell to the floor in great pain even without contact from any San Mig player in the previous play.
Contrary to an earlier report, an accidental kick to the groin Abueva took during a rebound battle with San Mig import Marqus Blakely had nothing to do with the injury, Vargas said.
Instead, the veteran trainer suspects the energetic freshman may have suffered a bone contusion in the lower part of his spinal column due to the constant banging he gets during games - and the countless times he falls to the floor.
“Right now, the initial assessment is he has bone contusion on his lower back, sa may lower part ng spinal column. Kasi alam mo naman si Calvin, when he takes the charging (calls), he keeps falling so mukhang nabugbog na,” Vargas told Spin.ph on Wednesday.
“Sa sobrang pagbagsak, naramdaman na ni Calvin sa fourth quarter and later, nag-spasm na kaya sumakit at bumagsak na lang siya kasi humigpit na yung muscle niya sa likod,” added Vargas.
Vargas, who also oversees the strength and conditioning of the Aces, said Abueva will undergo an X-ray on his lower back after the team’s practice at St. Patrick’s clinic along Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong.
The rookie is also scheduled for an MRI later in the day at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan to see if there are any tissue or muscle tear in the painful area.
Abueva, who is currently running second behind Petron forward Arwind Santos in the season MVP statistical race, scored six points, grabbed 10 rebounds, issued four assists and added two steals in 27 minutes in the game against the Mixers.
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