LEONARD Santillan will miss the first three weeks of PBA Season 50 after suffering an MCL injury in Rain or Shine's recent tuneup game.
The 6-foot-4 forward said he incurred the injury during the Elasto Painters’ 95-89 loss to Meralco over the weekend in Ilagan, Isabela.
READ: Maliksi shows fiery form as Meralco beats RoS in Ilagan tune-up
After getting nudged by Jhonard Clarito, Bolts veteran Cliff Hodge apparently banged on Santillan's right knee.
“Pagbagsak niya (Hodge) dito (pointing to his knee), may tumunog. So yun, out na ako. Hirap na akong makalakad,” he said during the 2025 PBA Media Day at the Elements of Centris.
Initially, the 29-year-old Cebuano thought it was just a simple bruise.
But after a check-up with doctors on Wednesday, Santillan was told of the bad news.
“MCL siya. Kaya out ako ng three weeks,” he said.
No surgery for Santi
Good thing, the injured knee doesn’t need any operation, just extended rest and rehab.
“Kailangan lang ipahinga and strengthening. Yun ang sinabi ng doctor,” he said.
Santillan will also be put in an immobilizer to hasten the recovery of his injured knee.
At the moment, he doesn’t join RoS in its regular practices.
“Kailangan talaga pahinga. Therapy, yun ang kailangan lagi. Doon lang ako magfo-focus muna para makabalik ako kaagad sa team,” he added.
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