MERALCO decided not to play Chris Newsome on Wednesday after he sustained a sprained left knee and ankle in their previous PBA Governors’ Cup outing.
Newsome, who got hurt during the Bolts' August 22 clash against TNT, showed up in uniform for their game against Terrafirma last Wednesday.
But Meralco coach Luigi Trillo said the coaching staff decided to rest Newsome in preparation for a busy week that will see the team play three games.
READ Aaron Black set to undergo surgery for meniscus injury
“We just thought to ourselves na baka better na ‘wag muna gamitin dahil next week, sunod-sunod ‘yung laro, may out-of-town [game] kami,” said Trillo.
Even without Newsome, Meralco captured its second win in three games, 107-91, against the winless Dyip.
The next week will see the Bolts face NorthPort on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Converge on Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, and Magnolia on September 6 in Panabo City.
“It’s just a smart thing to do to not force it. Finals ‘yan or semis or knockout game, he will play. But at this point in time, as a staff, pinag-uusapan namin, better na hindi (na maglaro),” said Trillo.
Meralco no longer needs another player injury with Aaron Black set to undergo surgery due to a meniscus injury and will be out for a month.
Raymond Almazan has also not played due to a back injury, while Allein Maliksi just made his season debut after being out for the first two games due to a groin injury.
“Raymond should be back soon,” said Trillo of Almazan.
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