IT seems La Salle's path to win back the UAAP basketball crown just got a lot tougher.
As much as coach Topex Robinson is trying to play down Mason Amos' MCL injury and recovery time as merely "a couple of weeks," the Taft side is bracing the worst for the controversial Green Archer, sources say.
Some insiders are even anticipating that the Fil-Aussie forward may be out for the season.
READ La Salle big man Mason Amos faces long layoff with MCL tear
MCL tears need at least four to six weeks of recovery time if it's Grade 2 or six weeks or longer if it's Grade 3.
La Salle is keeping a tight lid on the extent of Amos' injury but for him to share that he heard a pop means that it's probably not a mild injury. In other cases, it could involve a serious soft tissue injury such as a ligament or tendon tear.
And with the UAAP planning to compress the schedule to finish by November to accommodate athletes being called up for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, this might just be the end for Amos' first year in Taft.
The good thing is that Amos won't require surgery as he's expected to undergo PRP therapy in his path to recovery, a source added.
Before the injury, he was averaging 8.2 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.8 rebounds through five games for La Salle in the ongoing UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament.
With Amos out, that puts more pressure on La Salle's frontline of Mike Phillips, Luis Pablo, rookie Lebron Jhames Daep, and Nigerian big Bright Nwankwo to pick up the cudgels for the Green Archers. - RL
Eala dilemma as PH Open coincides with Aussie Open
The biggest tennis tournament in the country in years has been met with excitement and anticipation, mainly because it will feature our very own Alex Eala who will strut her wares for the first time before local fans who have closely followed her inspiring journey the past few years.
But there is a hitch, a big one. Eala may not be around to play in the event. If that happens, it is one the biggest blows to Philippine sports as officials had taken some of the most difficult steps to have a professional tennis tour event played in the country to showcase Eala's talent.
The culprit is the date. The Manila event overlaps the Australian Open, the year's first tennis major, where Eala is most likely to compete.
READ Alex Eala reaches new career-best of No. 54 in WTA rankings
The WTA 125 tournament in Manila which Philippine sports officials said is already a go, is scheduled for Jan. 26-Feb. 1. The Australian Open is from Jan. 12 -Feb. 1.
But acccording to officials, there is still a chance for Eala to play in Manila. But that is a choice she probably would rather not have. It is because she has to lose in the early rounds so she can jet back to Manila and play.
If she goes deep, she stays in Australia which we are pretty sure she would prefer as the Manila event can wait for another time.
But some say the schedule conflict can turn into a blessing. When Eala exited the US Open in the round of 64 last September, the Filipina star moved to the Guadalajara 125 Open where she captured her first career WTA title.- Reuben Terrado
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