RAIN or Shine took care of business against Blackwater on Saturday, but played without three players, including rookie Keith Datu whose unexplained sickness baffles coach Yeng Guiao,
Recent birthday boy Beau Belga and sophomore guard Gian Mamuyac were both down with flu, while rookie Datu missed his fifth straight game due to unexplained sickness.
READ: Guiao explains Keith Datu absence from game vs NorthPort
"Ganun pala si Mamuyac pag nag career-high, nagkakasakit," said Guiao of the former Ateneo stalwart, who dropped a career-best of 33 points in a losing effort against San Miguel just days earlier.
"Ganun din si Beau, pag nagbi-birthday, nagkakasakit rin," added the Rain or Shine coach of Belga, who turned 36 last Nov. 30.
But what worries Guiao is the situation of the 6-foot-8 Datu.
After making his debut against Meralco, the No. 4 pick in the last PBA Rookie Draft has yet to play again, initially owing to what the team said was high uric acid.
But his condition hasn't improved as he missed five straight games after his debut.
"Sa practice ok naman siya, pero pagdating ng game day, nagkakasakit siya," said Guiao. "Tatlong beses na kaming na-ganun. Sa tinagal-tagal ko sa basketball wala pa akong nakita na ganun, na pag practice ok ka, pero pag game na nagkakasakit ka."
Guiao even suggested Datu undergo a divination Filipino ritual.
"Pinapatawas na nga namin, e. Baka may kumukulam sa kanya," he said.
Carried out by mangtatawas or healers, it involves diagnosing afflictions or psychological disorders by interpreting shapes produced in water by heated alum or moltenwax droppings from a burning candle.
The ritual is often associated with the belief that the shapes formed in the water represent the influence of indigenous forces such as dwarfs, demons, and other evil spirits, and it is used to pinpoint a variety of health conditions or supernatural causes of a person’s ailment.
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