YENG Guiao considered the injury to Marcio Lassiter as a 'really bad news' for Gilas Pilipinas' coming campaign in the FIBA World Cup in China.
Guiao said injuries do happen although he rued it was unfortunate Lassiter suffered the grade 2 MCL injury on his left knee with only a month left before the global showpiece.
"We're sad, we're disappointed because Marcio is a key member of the team," said Guiao on Friday during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2009 Trophy Tour.
Lassiter is expected to be out of action for at least six weeks, but Guiao said the national team is not yet giving up on the 30-year-old Sa Miguel Beer gunner.
Gilas kicks off its World Cup campaign on August 31 in Foshan with a game against Italy, giving Lassiter just five weeks to recover from the injury and be in game shape.
"We're hoping that a minor miracle happens that he should be able to get back in three or four weeks," he said. "But we're already preparing a contingency plan just in case he failed to make it."
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