INJURY-riddled Ateneo can breathe a little easier after news that Ryan Buenafe’s sprained ankle will not force the former UAAP Finals MVP to miss games.
Blue Eagles coach Bo Perasol said Buenafe sustained the sprain on gis right ankle early in their game against University of the East on Wednesday, but is relieved to know that the injury is not as bad as anticipated.
“Nothing major,” Perasol said about Buenafe’s status. “He will play as long as he can tolerate the pain.”
Buenafe, the team’s second leading scorer entering the game against UE, rolled his ankle after stepping on Red Warrior Charles Mammie’s foot in the first quarter. He went on to play just 12 minutes and scored four points in a 68-72 loss.
The Blue Eagles have been hampered with injuries since the preseason including Kiefer Ravena’s right ankle sprain.
Mammie took advantage of a frontline that went even thinner with the season-ending shoulder injury of third-string center Gboy Babilonia on Wednesday, the big man from Sierra Leone coming up with 20 points and 23 rebounds against the Blue Eagles.
Perasol has acknowledged their woes at the frontline but nevertheless credited his players for staying in contention against the Red Warriors.
“That position is obviously where we are most vulnerable. We just have to grind it out every game. Despite that, we still had the chance to win the game,” Perasol said.
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