CHRIS Newsome was a banged-up player, to say the least, on Thursday sustaining injuries in his left knee and ankle, but assured that he will be fine and ready to play for Meralco in their next game in the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup.
Newsome got hurt during the first quarter when TNT center Poy Erram landed on his left leg while attempting to grab a loose ball, sustaining a knee and ankle sprain in the process.
The Gilas Pilipinas standout was able to return during the second quarter up until the four-minute mark of the third when he twisted his left ankle again for stepping on the foot of Erram while going for a rebound.
Meralco decided not to take a risk, and Newsome didn’t return to the court. The Meralco skipper was seen being helped by a team staff on his way back to the dugout with still seconds to play in the fourth quarter.
But Newsome allayed fears of a major injury, but is also taking a cautious approach will still early in the compressed Governors’ Cup conference with Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers and East Asia Super League also in mind.
“Injury-wise, I’ll be okay,” said Newsome to reporters after he gingerly walked out of the dugout. “It is going to take some time for me to get some of these injuries out. But nonetheless, I’m going to do whatever I can to become available for the next game. If not the next game, then coming soon.”
“But you have to look at the bigger picture as well and how long of a season that we have, including the EASL and also the FIBA windows as well. Definitely, I’m going to do my part and rehab and try to get to the team as fast as possible.”
On the extent of his injury, Newsome said: “Nothing serious as of now.”
“It is classified as a high ankle sprain and a light knee sprain which we are gonna go check out tomorrow. But as far as the knee, I could still walk. I could still bend. Structurally, the team doctor says everything is okay with my knee. Just a light sprain.”
“The ankle is actually the worst one because I sprained that one twice on the same game. That’s the one we are going to monitor. But other than that, it feels pretty much like your typical ankle sprain. But there’s nothing structurally wrong. Of course, we are getting the MRIs and stuff tomorrow and see how it goes from there,” said Newsome.
“Other than that, I’ll be okay. It’s just part of the game. A little pagpag and I’ll be alright."
The Meralco star also didn’t see nothing excessive in Erram diving for the ball that led to the injury.
“Of course, it’s no one’s fault. It’s part of the game. It’s unfortunate for me."
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