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    Will Navarro out of PBA season, Gilas duty due to ACL injury

    Tough break for Batang Pier rookie
    Dec 15, 2022
    Will Navarro injury
    PHOTO: Marlo Cueto

    NORTHPORT rookie William Navarro is done for the PBA season.

    MRI test and subsequent findings by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. George Canlas revealed Navarro suffered a full ACL tear in his last game with the Batang Pier against Barangay Ginebra on Saturday and will be out of action for at least a year.

    [READ: Ginebra ends NorthPort season in PBA quarters]

    The major injury meant the 6-foot-6 forward out of Ateneo won't be able to finish his season with the Batang Pier, and more so, wouldn't be able to join the Gilas Pilipinas training pool for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

    Navarro went down with the injury early late in the first quarter of Game 2 between NorthPort and Barangay Ginebra in the quarterfinals of the Commissioner’s Cup.

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      The 25-year-old Navarro was playing well when he hurt his knee, having scored 10 points on 2-of-3 shooting from downtown to lead the Batang Pier to a fast start, 21-8.

      He exited at the 3:36 mark of the first period, changed into civilian clothes, and went straight to the hospital without finishing the game.

      The Batang Pier lost the match, 99-93, for a sweep by the Kings in the best-of-three series.

      The injury was likewise a letdown for Navarro, who has been among the bright spots for the Batang Pier this conference, averaging 16.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in the six games he played in the eliminations shortly after reaching a two-conference agreement with NorthPort.

      Canlas required a reconstruction surgery on Navarro's knee and is expected for a full recovery of at least 10 to 12 months.

      Despite the prognosis, Navarro was still good enough to show up at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center and attend the Monday practice of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, where he and other past members of the school's championship teams gave a pep talk heading into Game 2 of the UAAP men's basketball finals against reigning champion University of the Philippines.

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      "Even Will Navarro (was) there, and the news is he has an ACL injury," said Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin after the Blue Eagles sent the title series to a decider following their 65-55 Game 2 win Wednesday night

      "So sad news for Will, but he was there as well."

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      PHOTO: Marlo Cueto
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