THINGS seem to be turning from bad to worse for Rain or Shine in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Starting their campaign with a 0-3 record, the Elasto Painters may lose the services of rookie big man Keith Datu. The team’s first-round draftee appeared to have suffered a Grade 2 MCL injury in the team’s last game against Barangay Ginebra and could be out for at least a month.
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Coach Yeng Guiao has not responded to calls made by Spin.ph as of post time regarding Datu's condition. Guiao had earlier been fined P20,000 for his rant against one of the referees on his way out of the court after getting a second technical during his team's loss to Meralco almost two weeks ago.
The 6-foot-7 Datu played just four minutes against the Kings before going down with the injury in the first quarter of a 102-92 loss last Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
He went scoreless and had an assist as part of the team’s starting unit.
Datu's misfortune couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Elasto Painters, who are again off to a slow start for the second time this season. They began their Commissioner’s Cup campaign with five straight losses. They picked up the pace midway through the tournament and then made the playoffs.
Datu may miss several days or perhaps the rest of the all-Filipino conference depending on the severity of his injury.
His absence is expected to affect the frontcourt rotation of Rain or Shine which recently activated another rookie big man in Luis Villegas, who has yet to see action.
Adding to their woes, Elasto Painters will play the San Miguel Beermen for their next game on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Beermen are playing their first game following a prolonged rest after winning the Commissioner's Cup.
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