Moala Tautuaa injured his ankle. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MVP frontrunner Moala Tautuaa missed majority of the second half of Cebuana Lhuillier’s Game 1 loss to Hapee after suffering from a sprained ankle early in the third period.
The Fil-Tongan big man was battling against Fresh Fighters’ center Ola Adeogun on a rebound play at the 8:23 mark of the third when Tautuaa rolled his ankle after landing on Adeogun.
READ: Undermanned Hapee outmuscles Cebuana for 1-0 lead in semis
Trainers and coaches struggled to bring Tautuaa back to his feet and a gurney was needed a to bring the big man back to the dugout.
Despite playing for just 20 minutes, Tautuaa still managed to record a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Coach Boycie Zamar reiterated that with or without the big man, the Gems will be ready to equalize the series on Thursday.
“This is the playoffs. With or without Mo, we have to bounce back on Thursday. We’re ready to play without him,” he said.
“The real test of character is on Thursday and we will not back down.”
But Tautuaa assured the Cebuana fans that he will be ready for Game 2.
“I will be ready on Thursday. I will play,” he said. CFC