UNCERTAINTY hangs over RR Garcia’s availability for San Miguel in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The four-year guard is mulling to go under the knife during the conference break to finally repair a dislocated shoulder that got aggravated during the Beermen’s Philippine Cup semifinals series against TnT Katropa.
Garcia, 27, said he’ll have another check-up next week to determine whether surgery is an option or not.
If it is, the former UAAP MVP from Far Eastern University disclosed he’ll most likely miss the entire mid-season tournament that begins on March 17.
“Hindi ko pa alam magpa-pa check up kasi ako,” said Garcia during the team’s presentation of the Perpetual trophy to SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang Friday at the SMC office in Ortigas.
“Depende kung ano ang gagawin, baka kailangang operahan o hindi.”
The injury kept Garcia out for most of the finals and only saw action in Game Three of the best-of-seven title series. The Beermen won the championship, 4-1.
The combo guard from Zamboanga City said the right shoulder injury was the same one he incurred while still with Barako Bull. Incidentally, both were inflicted by TnT’s Jayson Castro.
“Dati pa itong injury ko kay Jayson Castro. Tapos nung Game Six (semis) si Jayson din,” Garcia said with a smile.
“Masakit din,” he added. “Ilang beses na kasi ito na-disclocate baka kailangan na rin (operation).”
Reading between the lines, Garcia appeared to be leaning on undergoing operation in order to prevent the recurrence of the injury in the future.
“Mahirao na kasi pag nilaro uli, kakalas at kakalas siya,” he said.
But the injury won’t prevent him from savoring his first ever championship in the league.
“Puwede naman tayong ganito na mag-party,” he said with a huge laugh. “Siyempre i-enjoy natin ito.”