THE PBA Commissioner’s Cup has yet to formally kick off, but Barako Bull is already saddled left and right by injuries to key players.
Sean Anthony, JC Intal, Celino Cruz, Roger Yap, and rookie guard Emman Monfort are expected to be in street clothes when the Energy Cola begin their campaign in the mid-season conference Friday against defending champion San Mig Coffee.
According to team manager Raffy Casyao, the hard-working Anthony is still recovering from an Achilles tendon injury and will need two more weeks to recuperate.
“Doubtful starter si Sean tomorrow and sa Sunday game,” said Casyao, who also mentioned that another new recruit, Intal, will also be in the injury list owing to an old swollen meniscus.
“OK na `yung injury ni Intal, pero pinapalakas na lang. Para hindi na mag-recur nang mag-recur,” he added.
But the major concern of the Energy Cola at the moment is their injury-plagued backcourt as both Cruz and Monfort skipped the team’s tune-up games.
Cruz's right thumb got caught in Meralco rookie Clifford Hodge's playing shorts during one practice game, a freak accident that led to fracture and a two-week layoff for the veteran point guard.
“Nakaka-bad trip nga, kung kelan gustong-gusto ko nang bumalik,” bared Cruz, who suffered the same injury last conference when he fell from a folding chair while trying to fix their ceiling light at home.
Monfort, the former Ateneo Blue Eagle guard, also re-injured the same right hand he broke in a tune-up game just before the start of the current season.
“Nakakainis nga, bukas na ang laro, na-injure na naman. Pero ok lang. Siguro may plan lang si Lord,” said Monfort, shaking his head.
Even Casyao himself can’t help but be upset by the latest injury suffered by the rookie point guard.
“Sayang, ang ganda pa naman ng ipinapakita nung bata,” bared Casyao.
Yap, on the other hand, is still nursing a bad back.
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