YENG Guiao allayed fears of another major injury suffered by big man Luis Villegas.
While Villegas hurt his reconstructed knee anew after being hit by Bong Quinto during the PBA Philippine Cup knockout match between Rain or Shine and Meralco, Guiao said the 6-foot-8 center isn’t about to be sidelined again for a long time.
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“I don’t think it’s serious,” quipped the Rain or Shine coach about the condition of the former UAAP Mythical Team selection out of University of the East.
The Elasto Painters lost to the Bolts, 98-89, and won’t be in the semis for the first time in the last five conferences. They won’t return to action until the Commissioner’s Cup in March, giving the team a much-needed rest.
Guiao said the break would be an opportunity for the Elasto Painters to rest and recover, including Villegas.
“Yung break namin will make his (Villegas) situation better, and he’s going to be better prepared for the next conference.”
Villegas was finally reactivated by Rain or Shine in time for the playoffs after recovering from reconstructive knee surgery – his second in the last three years.
After more than a year, he played his first game with the team at the start of the quarterfinals against Meralco, suiting up for 16 minutes but going scoreless in a 96-79 loss.
He only played seven minutes during the do-or-die game after being taken out when he hurt his knee with 4:53 left in the second quarter and Meralco leading, 33-32.
Villegas never returned to the game again.
“Si Luis sayang naka-two games pa lang,” said Guiao. “Masaya ako dun sa unang game niya kaya lang tinamaan ulit yung tuhod niya na naoperahan.”
Again, Guiao said the long rest would be beneficial for the returning Villegas.
“We just want to get our players healthy,” he added.
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