ANTIPOLO – Rookie big man Caelan Tiongson just added to the injury woes of Rain or Shine.
The 32-year-old Fil-Am sat out the Elasto Painters’ 128-116 win over defending PBA Philippine Cup champion Meralco due to back spasm.
Tiongson watched the game from the sideline of the Ynares Center as he joined veteran Beau Belga and sophomore Keith Datu on the team’s injury list.
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Coach Yeng Guiao thought Tiongson would be able to play against the Bolts, but was told just before the game the 6-foot-5 wingman was a no go.
Tiongson admitted he’s not feeling great at the moment as his situation is compounded even more by the current heat wave in the country.
“It’s tight and I just can’t be explosive right now. And obviously being physical is a big part of my game, I don’t want to go out there,” he said.
Tiongson clarified that his latest setback has nothing to do with the Achilles tendinitis injury that forced him to miss a couple of games last conference.
Guiao is keeping his fingers crossed Tiongson won’t be out for long as he was the one who manned the frontcourt for the Elasto Painters in their first two outings in the absence of Belga and Datu.
Tiongson hopes the same way, too.
“Hopefully so. That’s the goal,” he said.
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