CHICAGO -- In a PBA Governors' Cup campaign that has turned into a tempest of import changes, the hard luck Magnolia Hotshots finally caught a break.
Rain or Shine import Aaron Fuller sustained a significant eye injury in Game Two of their best-of-five quarterfinals series on Friday night at the Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex.Purpose.
Without Fuller, who played only in the first quarter for 11 minutes and 29 seconds, the Elasto Painters' defense parted like the Red Sea and Magnolia pounced by hitting 58.6 percent from the field (51-of-87) on the way to an easy 121-69 win.
READ: Bird a seamless fit as Magnolia deals RoS a 52-point beatdown
Fuller had four points, two rebounds, two assists and a block before being taken to a hospital. As of posting time, he is going through treatment and a battery of tests in the emergency room at St. Luke's BGC.
While basketball isn't a hardcore contact sport, collisions are commonplace. But in the case of Fuller, there's more than meets the eye,no pun intended.
"Sinadya ni (Ian) Sangalang tusukin ang mata ni Fuller," Guiao told me after via text message.
A straight-shooter, the 7-time PBA champion coach didn't just hurl a serious accusation out of emotion.
"We've rewatched the video," he said. And as a result, Guiao added, "Fuller has a swollen left eye and is in pain."
With the way Magnolia played, dominating the boards 67-37 and dishing more assists, 26-12, Guiao acknowledged that they "would have lost even if Fuller played."
But he laments the long-term effects of Fuller's injury.
"This puts the whole series in peril for us since we might lose him for the rest of the series. Too bad there are people willing to risk blinding other players just to gain an advantage in a basketball game," Guiao said.
Whether or not Sangalang's actions were intentional, one thing remains absolutely clear.
Rain or Shine's promising Governors' Cup may have just been sabotaged by a finger to the eye. And just like, all the Elasto Painters hard work which led to a 7-3 elimination round record and a No.1 seed in Pool B have potentially vanished into thin air.
Obviously, Fuller's status for Sunday's Game 3 is hopeful at best. And even if he plays and soldiers on with the pain and discomfort, he will be less than 100 percent.
READ: Fuller doubtful for Game 3 after getting eye poked by Sangalang
Of course, changing an import is an option but given how games are being played so rapidly, time is an enemy.
It wasn't the 13th but this Friday night sure was hellacious for Rain or Shine.
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