RAIN or Shine may have advanced to the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs, but it took a step back in terms of manpower after its 95-80 win over San Miguel Beer on Wednesday night.
Raymond Almazan joined the Elasto Painters’ growing injury list after the star big man aggravated a hand injury with less than three minutes gone by in the game, never returning as he finished with three points on a three-pointer, one assist, and one steal.
“He had a hand injury prior to this game,” ROS coach Caloy Garcia said. “Today, yung pag-drive ata ni Alex (Cabagnot), parang natamaan, so namaga yung kamay, so we didn't want to use him anymore.”
Almazan thus joined James Yap and Chris Tiu on the injury list, negating the return of Jay Washington.
Although Tiu is probable for the start of the Elasto Painters’ playoff campaign when he recovers from strained hamstring, Yap could miss the remainder of the conference as he’s out for two weeks due to a pulled calf muscle.
“Si Chris, with the win today, I think he'll going to rest on Friday to prepare us on Sunday,” Garcia said. “Hindi naman ganoon kalala yung injury nya kumpara kay James.”
“Kay James, mukhang malabo siya talaga.I don't know when he's gonna come back,” he added.
If his recovery goes as scheduled, Yap can return only if the E-Painters make it to the semifinals.
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