INQUIRER Sports

TOO BAD THE FLYING A’S COMEBACK in the PBA was short-lived.

I can’t even remember the last time I saw him play, but last Friday, with two or three key Ginebra Kings sidelined, Johnny Abarrientos had to suit up for the game against Barako Bull to fill in the void.

Unfortunately, while fans were still hailing his comeback, Johnny severely injured his left index finger.

“For a moment there, he felt like the tip had been torn off,” said one of the scribes who went to the locker room where Johnny was being administered first aid.

The scribe said he could not stand the gore. “The wound was bleeding profusely and it would not stop,” he reported.

Johnny was attempting a steal when his finger caught in what they call a baller band Barako Bull’s Paulo Hubalde was wearing on his wrist.

Johnny had to be rushed to the hospital.

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Yesterday, I contacted members of the Ginebra coaching staff to inquire about the condition of Johnny’s finger.

Allan Caidic said seven stitches were required to sew together the torn parts.

“Is it true that the tip was almost ripped off?” I asked Allan.

“Kinda,” was his brief reply.

While the finger has been treated and is whole again, Ginebra coach Jong Uichico said Johnny will not be able to play for awhile.

Ginebra is up against the winless Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the main game of tonight’s doubleheader at the Araneta Coliseum.

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No wonder Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia was at the Cuneta Astrodome scouting last Friday night. At least that’s what the broadcast panelists said.

In the Elasto Painters’ game against San Miguel Beer last Wednesday, assistant coach Richard Del Rosario subbed for Caloy who was advised by his physicians to rest for a few days following a vehicular accident where he figured in last Monday night.

Caloy should be reporting for active duty tonight. He has vowed to break the Painters, five-game losing streak, and with a depleted Ginebra lineup following the Abarrientos injury, he has a good chance of accomplishing this.

Incidentally, fans have been asking why Alex Compton is no longer with the Rain or Shine coaching staff.

According to Rain or Shine alternate governor Carlo Quevada, Alex had been having difficulty dividing his time between his job with the SBP and his job as assistant coach of Rain or Shine.

Alex and Eric Altamirano are on top of the SBP’s youth program which requires a lot of time, work and out-of-town trips.

Carlo said Alex chose to give up his job with Rain or Shine in favor of his position with the SBP. Richard Del Rosario took over the post he vacated, explained Carlo.

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If the job with SBP is that demanding, could Altamirano still be in a position to accept a coaching offer from the National University, assuming it comes his way?

From what I gathered, NU sports director Junel Baculi is on the lookout for a new Bulldogs coach and Altamirano is in his short list.

The two others are Louie Alas and Jorge Gallent, his former co-coaches at Harbour Centre.