Tough blow for FEU as forward Escoto down with an ACL tear

Ateneo’s Greg Slaughter wins the rebound off FEU’s Russel Escoto. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — In another tough blow, Far Eastern University lost lanky forward Russel Escoto to injury just a month away from the upcoming UAAP season.

Escoto’s left knee injury was confirmed as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, which could sideline him for the entire season.

“ACL [tear] daw. He had an MRI yesterday and we got the results today officially. Pero yun as of yesterday yun ang sabi ng doctor,” head coach Nash Racela told reporters after the game.

The injury was ruled as an MCL sprain right after Fruitas’ Tuesday game in the PBA D-League — but that was before the MRI confirmed a graver prognosis as ACL tear takes at least six months to heal.

Racela, though, said they would seek a second opinion for Escoto’s “peace of mind,” but adding “I don’t think it [results] will change.”

Escoto limped off the court early in the Shakers’ semifinals game versus Big Chill last Tuesday at the Blue Eagle gym and never returned.

He also sat out Thursday’s do-or-die game in the PBA D-League and FEU’s 74-81 setback to St. Benilde in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup.

That leaves Racela with an even thinner front court with the departure of Clarence Foronda and the burly Bringas brothers, Arvie and Mark.

“Mabigat yun kasi we lost three already, sila Bringas, tapos ngayon si Escoto naman,” Racela said.

“If you noticed earlier, we were trying to give other guys minutes,” said Racela, who gave more minutes to Raymar Jose, who then scored two points, plucked four boards in eight minutes.

FEU is left with imports Anthony Hargrove and Christian Sentchue — who can’t be on the court at the same time as per UAAP rules — Carl Bryan Cruz and Mark Belo to man the post.