MERALCO rookie Brandon Bates will be out for at least a month after suffering an MCL sprain.
And the culprit? A cement covered in cushion.
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Coach Luigi Trillo disclosed the freak accident happened during practice just a day after the Bolts opened their PBA Philippine Cup campaign.
“Nag-practice siya and he felt bad na sinipa niya 'yung cushion na may semento,” said Trillo when asked about Bates’ injury.
“Sinipa niya sa side dahil nagalit siya. Normally yung mga cushion kahoy yun, pero pag sipa niya semento (pala).”
Bates still played in Meralco’s debut game against Blackwater last Wednesday where he was part of Trillo’s starting unit.
The No. 8 pick in this season's rookie draft finished with three points, two rebounds, and an assist in 20 minutes of play in a game the Bolts lost, 96-93.
Bates sits out
Two days after, Bates showed up in the game against Rain or Shine wearing a protective knee brace on his right leg while walking with a limp.
He watched on the sideline as the Bolts eked out a 121-117 win in overtime.
“Mga two to three weeks daw. Worst-case scenario, mga four weeks,” said Trillo of the rookie big man’s probable absence.
That meant Bates would be missing at least the next five games of Meralco and will return near the tail-end of the eliminations.
“I mean you want to get mad, but what can you do,” said Trillo with a sheepish smile.
Bates absence further compounded the frontcourt rotation of the Bolts, who are also without the injured Raymond Almazan.
“But hopefully, these guys will be back soon,” said Trillo.
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