THE ceiling got lesser for Rain or Shine again following the loss of big man Keith Datu to injury in its PBA Philippine Cup game against Phoenix.
The third-year center went out with 7:47 to go in the third quarter after going down with an apparent knee injury while going for a basket off a transition.
He was eventually carried over to the bench and never returned to the game at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, which the Elasto Painters won, 91-80.
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Datu finished with nine points, four rebounds, and three assists in the team’s fourth straight win where they improved to 5-1.
Coach Yeng Guiao said the Elasto Painters have yet to determine the extent of the injury pending an MRI test on the 6-foot-7 Fil-Am.
"Hindi ko pa alam exactly kung ano ang status niya (Datu). Kung how serious the injury is,” said Guiao after the game.
“He’s been already having issues with his knees before. Kaya nga yun ang focus namin to strengthen his lower body. And nangyari pa ito ngayon.”
The loss of Datu left Rain or Shine without a legitimate center in the middle as sophomore Caelan Tiongson is also nursing an injury, while veteran Beau Belga’s playing minutes are still being managed.
Currently on top of the standings, the Elasto Painters will take on the NLEX Road Warriors on Saturday with Datu’s status still uncertain.
“We’ll see. We have to make an assessment of his injury, of his health,” said Guiao.
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