JOSH Smith suffered a suspected broken nose after receiving an accidental elbow from Arinze Onuaku in the second half of Friday night’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup game between TnT Katropa and Meralco.
Smith was left bloodied following the incident that happened at the 6:01 mark of the third period and the Katropa holding a 55-50 lead.
Onuaku's elbow hit Smith on the bridge of his nose just after taking a shot that left the TnT import bloodied.
The hulking Smith was then taken out by coach Nash Racela and didn't return to the game. He was later ought to the Cardinal Santos Medical Center while the game was still in progress.
The Katropa won, 91-85.
"I think baka broken nose kasi hindi tumitigil ang dugo," said team manager Virgil Villavicencio later. "For a while tumigil nung nakaupo siya, pero pagtayo dumugo na naman."
Smith finished with only six points, seven rebounds, and two assists.
Still even in his absence, the Katropa managed to overcome the Bolts and tied their victim at third place with identical 7-3 cards to stay on course for a possible twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs.
Good thing, TnT would be on a two-week break and won't return to action unitl July 7 when it tangles with league leader Rain or Shine.
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