MERALCO import Akil Mitchell missed in an all-important game against Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum due to back spasm.
The 32-year-old import has been battling a hurting back since last week that also forced him to miss the Bolts’ game against the Ryukyu Golden Kings in the East Asia Super League (EASL) last week.
Ginebra won, 91-87.
READ Ginebra holds off all-Filipino Meralco, moves up to joint third
Mitchell was at the Big Dome and in uniform, but the Meralco coaching staff opted not to field him in against the Kings.
He averaged 25.3 points and 13.0 rebounds for the Bolts, who carried a 7-3 mark entering the game against Barangay Ginebra.
The Panamanian-American last played for Meralco on Jan. 18 in a 100-93 win over San Miguel Beer in Candon, Ilocos Sur where he finished with 26 points and 16 rebounds.
Mitchell’s absence certainly hurt the Bolts’ bid for a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs, although they still have a game left on Friday against the Magnolia Hotshots during the final playdate of the eliminations.
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