CHICAGO -- When the TNT-Rain or Shine semifinals duel begins tomorrow at the Mall of Asia Arena, the Elasto Painters will be missing a big piece, literally and figuratively.
Due to his ongoing battle with vertigo, a medical condition that spurs dizziness, nausea and a spinning sensation of objects around him, the 6-foot-5, 280-lb center has been ruled for the series.
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"He has a medical check-up in mid-July to confirm if he can play competitively. He is practicing with us but is not allowed to play competitively until he gets the go signal from his doctor," coach Yeng Guiao told me via text message on Tuesday night.
"Beau's absence is crucial. We really lack size without him but will compensate with speed. Hopefully, our bigs can hold their own against theirs."
BIG AND EASY.
Besides the space he occupies in the middle to anchor the defense and grab rebounds, Belga, 38, brings the veteran presence of a leader who has a great feel for the game and can counsel his younger teammate.
He will be missed, more so with TNT's big men --- Poy Erram and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser --- playing well of late.
The Tropang 5G, however, are similarly banged up and dealing with aching body parts from key performers..
Calvin Oftana's Grade 2 left ankle sprain is a little better but not yet 100 percent healthy. He did tell me in a telephone interview on Wednesday that he will play.
The high-leaping, high-scoring forward will take a dose of Arcoxia, a physician prescription required medication, 30 minutes before tip-off to help ease some of the pain and discomfort in his lower leg.
Despite a bum ankle, the Bisaya by way of Danao, Cebu tormented Magnolia with a combined 39 points and 22 rebounds in back-to-back wins that sent the Hotshots packing after a soaring 6-0 start to the conference.
TOUGH FOE.
Oftana hopes to bring the same intensity and production against the Elasto Painters whom he cautions as a "very confident" team with a great coach leading the charge.
While Oftana is good to go, is his teammate Jordan Heading ready as well?
"I'll be a game time decision again," the Fil-Aussie, who was on a minutes restrictions in the previous round, told me via text message.
Dealing with recurring back spasms that proved to be the flashpoint of Converge's decision to trade him for the rights of Mikey Williams last June 2, Heading's health will be tested by RoS' delightfully maniacal guards who have a propensity for speed and physical play.
The 13 games that TNT and Rain or Shine have each played so far this conference have clearly taken its toll. Fortunately for us fans there is enough talent on both sides to provide an entertaining seven-game series.
This is going to be a fun and polarizing war, a dance of death between a rich and poor team, an independent outfit versus a well-oiled, well-funded machine.
Who you got?
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