NLEX played without five major players in its final game in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations, a 113-108 loss to also-ran Northport Wednesday night at the Nino Aquino Stadium.
Nursing injuries are guards Matt Nieto, Richie Rodgers, Tony Semerad, Dominic Fajardo, and Javee Mocon.
READ: Cade Flores-led NorthPort upset derails NLEX bid for No. 1 seed
Nieto was not around as he recovers from a hurting heel, Semerad has a back injury, Fajardo’s foot hasn’t fully healed, while Rodgers is out following an appendix operation.
Mocon, coming off a Best Player of the Game in a 105-95 win over Phoenix two weeks ago, is also feeling some sensation in the nerve near his buttocks.
The 30-year-old Mocon was in uniform, but didn’t play as the Road Warriors suffer their third loss in the conference to end the eliminations with an 8-3 record.
Fajardo has missed the final three games of NLEX following his collision with CJ Cansino in the 108-92 loss against defending champion Meralco.
“Natuhod siya, e ang laki ng bukol. Masakit daw, pero pain as tolerated. Pag hindi na siya nakakaramdam ng sakit, puwede na siyang maglaro,” said NLEX coach Jong Uichico of the NLEX guard.
Uichico expects all four to be back for the playoffs with the exception of Rogers.
“Appendix yun, matagal yun. Hindi na siya makakabalik,” said the NLEX coach of the 6-foot-2 Fil-New Zealander. “Nagsu-shooting lang siya pero hindi siay puwedeng maglaro.”
“I expect them but siyempre depende sa healing process ng injuries nila,” he added. “Kaya nga maganda ngayon may time pa. But I’m sure naman they will get well and get them ready for the playoffs.”
NLEX will now take some rest as it awaits its opponent in the playoffs that kick off next week.
Uichico said it doesn’t matter whether the Road Warriors ended up at no. 1 or no. 2 in the standings heading to the quarterfinals as they’re already assured of a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
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