SAN Miguel Beer active consultant Todd Purves hopes injured guards Marcio Lassiter and Chris Ross can return to active duty in time for the playoffs of the PBA Governors Cup.
Lassiter has missed the Beermen’s last three games due to a cut on his right shin, while the cat-quick Ross is out with a right calf strain which he suffered during the team’s 115-112 overtime win over Barako Bull more than a week ago in Binan, Laguna.
A third San Miguel guard, Paolo Hubalde, has yet to play this conference since hurting his right shoulder.
“Marcio’s (injury) is a freak accident. And the worst part, is he can’t do anything - he can’t swim, he can’t bike, he can’t run, he’s just watching,” said Purves of the injury San Miguel’s top outside gunner suffered when he chased down a loose ball into the ringside seats.
Without Lassiter and Ross, Purves said opposing teams have been relying on the zone defense against them in an effort to force them to shoot from the outside and neutralize solid inside threat of big man June Mar Fajardo.
Fortunately for the Beermen, Fajardo has been overpowering in the paint and currently averages a league career-high numbers of 21.8 points and 17.1 rebounds this conference.
Even without the two Fil-Am guards, San Miguel managed to hold on to solo second spot through six games with its 4-2 win-loss record, keeping the Beermen’s hopes alive for a Top 4 finish with still three games left in their elimination round campaign.
In the meantime, San Miguel’s physical therapist Gerald Tenorio said Hubalde has been doing constant shoulder therapy, while Lassiter is just awaiting medical clearance before returning to action.
On the other hand, the 6-foot Ross is doing cryotherapy to control the swelling on his right calf.
The Beermen return to action on Saturday against the Meralco Bolts in Cagayan de Oro City.
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