MUCH to San Beda's detriment, veteran wing Jomel Puno was demoted to spectator in the defending champions' NCAA Season 102-opening loss to St. Benilde on Sunday.
Head coach Yuri Escueta revealed the 24-year-old forward suffered a right knee contusion two days prior to their first match after colliding with teammate Zed Etulle in training.
“Nagkatuhuran lang sila ni Zed noong practice,” the two-time collegiate champion mentor told SPIN.ph. “But kaya naman. Fifty-fifty siya sa opening game kaya hindi na namin pinilit.”
READ: Liwag-less Benilde trips San Beda in start of title defense
Fortunately for the Red Lions, Puno will be good to go for a clash with another title contender in Jose Rizal University.
Asked if they will, indeed, have the 6-foot-5 Fil-Canadian in uniform and in action on Friday, Escueta answered in the affirmative.
And looking at their points for improvement coming from the defeat to the Blazers, the 6-foot-5 Fil-Canadian will be a sight for sore eyes.
What Puno means for San Beda
Puno’s absence in their opener was very much felt inside, where they were outscored, 38-26.
“Sabi ko nga, look at the shots that we took. Karamihan naman, catch and shoot, and those are the shots we want," said Escueta.
“Siguro, may mga nakita ako na mga tatlong forced shots. Or decision-wise, we could've gone to the rim."
Last season, Puno averaged 6.8 points in 57.1-percent shooting from two-point field goals and 6.5 rebounds through San Beda's title run.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
