RAIN or Shine coach Yeng Guiao ruled out big man Luis Villegas out for the rest of PBA Season 49.
Guiao said the sophomore out University of the East still has issue with his injured knee, which could be reconstructed anytime soon.
Villegas sat out his entire rookie season as he recovered from an ACL injury he suffered prior to the Season 48 draft where he was selected no. 3 overall by the Elasto Painters.
He already suited up for the franchise during the Governors’ Cup, but was back in the injury/reserved list before the start of the mid-season conference.
“Yes,” said Guiao when asked point blank if Villegas will sit out the rest of the season shortly after Rain or Shine’s 107-93 victory over reigning Commissioner’s Cup champion San Miguel Tuesday night at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
“Nakapag-laro na siya last conference, pero problematic pa rin yung injury niya. Hindi siya makatodo ng 100 percent, parang bumabalik pa rin yung pain.”
The Rain or Shine coach mentioned about the young big man undergoing another round of surgery.
“The suggestion of the doctor was to reconstruct,” Guiao added. “May surgery ulit siya, titingnan kung paano mapapabuti pa for the long term.”
Other than securing the career future of the 6-foot-8 center, Guiao and the rest of Rain or Shine management all have trust on the talent and skills of Villegas so much so they’re willing to wait for him to totally recover from his injury.
“Kasi ang nangyayari makakalaro siya, tapos hindi na naman makakalaro. Parang for the long term, that’s not the best option. Kaya nag decide na kami na we will invest in time,” Guiao reasoned out.
“Magti-tiyaga na kami kasi nakikita namin may potential talaga si Luis. So tiyaga na naman, hintay na naman after nung reconstruction ng tuhod niya.”
Villegas is one of two key Rain or Shine players who are in the injury/reserved list together with guard Gian Mamuyac.
The one-time Ateneo star suffered a fractured right hand during a tune-up game prior to the conference.
Mamuyac’s fractured hand is currently on a cast after undergoing surgery recently. Guiao said he would be out for the next two to three months.
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