MAHINDRA coach Chris Gavina fears Russell Escoto has suffered a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) on his left knee that will require surgery and could force him to miss the entire PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Escoto hurt his left knee after an awkward fall last Sunday, late in the first half of their win over NLEX.
“Early diagnosis is a partially-torn ACL on the same knee he had surgery on in college,” Gavina said after the 124-87 loss to Star on Wednesday, referring to his rookie slotman’s injury that forced him to miss one UAAP season for Far Eastern University.
Gavina, however, said they will still ask for a “second and third opinion” to make sure.
“I think after a second and third opinion, they'll probably decide whether he's going to undergo surgery,” Gavina said.
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If he does, Escoto could be out for at least four months, denying him of attending practices of the Gilas Pilipinas pool.
“Probably somewhere near four to six months or maybe even six to eight depending on the severity of the tear,” Gavina said. “It's unfortunate because he was really turning the corner.”
“I couldn't wait to see him on Gilas but we're hoping that he'll be able to bounce back,” he added.
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