RAIN or Shine's title hopes suffered a major blow after it was announced that its import, Aaron Fuller, was advised by doctors to sit out the team's next game because of the eye injury he suffered in last Friday's game against Magnolia.
The import will remain under observation and team officials did not establish a timetable for his return. The injury could not have come at a most crucial time for the Elasto Painters who are on a roll after topping the group eliminations and taking Game 1 of their quarterfinals series against Magnolia.
His eye was poked by Magnolia's Ian Sangalang Friday with 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter and Rain or Shine trailing by nine. He finished with four points and four rebounds and played just 11 minutes.
Rain or Shine lost that game, 121-69. The 52-point blowout was the worst in franchise history,
A long absence would mean Rain or Shine may have to kiss its PBA Governors’ Cup championship dreams goodbye. The best-of-five series is tied at 1-1.
Coach Yeng Guiao said the 34-year-old import didn’t practice with the Elasto Painters on Saturday. His left eye was swollen and though he was at the practice venue, he was there as an onlooker, perhaps wondering if he would be able to return to action to help RoS win another title.
READ: Fuller doubtful for Game 3 after getting eye poked by Sangalang
“No stitches were required but his vision is blurred and his balance is affected,” Guiao said of Fuller’s condition.
“He’s been told to observe for a few days. Most likely we’ll be playing without an import.”
“Pulang-pula pa. Hindi naman puwedeng one-eyed Jack lang,” said Beau Belga, the veteran big man, who did the broadcast coverage of the NCAA Season 100 game between University of Perpetual Help and Letran at the FilOil EcoOil Arena.
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