BATANGAS will head to its remaining battles in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup without Joseph Sedurifa after coach Eric Gonzales confirmed the team’s top gunner got a call-up from its mother club Meralco.
"Na-line up na siya sa Meralco," said Gonzales of Sedurifa, who didn't play for the team in Thursday’s pulsating 95-90 win over Racal at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The amiable mentor admitted that losing Sedurifa, who will suit up for the Bolts in the Governors Cup, was a big blow to Batangas, which is a win away from clinching its first playoff appearance on a 5-3 record.
"Mahirap siya punan," he said, adding they are nonetheless happy their cager made it back to the pros.
The coaching staff and management will meet to discuss about a possible replacement for the Batangas ace, who averaged 16.43 points, 8.29 rebounds, and 3.57 assists.
"Marami kaming naiisip na pwede pumalit. Actually may meeting kami today (with the management). Hopefully we can come up with one," he said.
Batangas still has Gamboa Coffee and Flying V in its final elimination round assignments, but Gonzales is confident his team will pull through.
"Alam naman natin yung team natin dehado lagi. Gamboa is very experienced, if they will play with pride, any given time kaya manalo niyan," he said. "Marami silang ex-pros. Dun kami nayari sa Tanduay. Hopefully we learned our lesson and hopefully we use this as motivation."
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