Holy Week provides welcome respite for ailing PBA players

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

If there’s one thing evident this 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, it’s that no one is safe.

Injuries have already taken down four players in the top 10 of last conference’s Best Player of the Conference race, mightily affecting the complexion of the playoff race so far.

That’s why the Holy Week provides a welcome respite for the injured players, who hope to return to the court as fast as possible.

And for two-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, he wants to do just that in San Miguel’s next game.

“Mahaba naman ang pahinga namin. Baka by next game, pwede na ako,” he said, as he plans a Easter Sunday return against Star with his swollen right knee already feeling better.

The same goes with Rain or Shine’s Paul Lee, who re-injured his left knee after colliding with Ryan Reyes last Monday.

“Malaking bagay yung break kasi kahit papaano, makakarecover ako,” he said.

No team was more decimated by the injury bug than GlobalPort, which saw its lethal backcourt duo fall down with injuries.

Stanley Pringle sprained his ankle, and was followed by Terrence Romeo hurting his calf as the Batang Pier spiraled down the cellar.

The GlobalPort management is still hopeful that the two can return just in time to salvage the team’s 2-6 record late in the eliminations. They will start joining practice in the coming week.

In contrary, TNT skipper Jayson Castro’s status was more promising.

The Bacolor native already returned from his Achilles injury in the Tropa’s 114-103 win against the Elasto Painters, where he posted 26 points, on a 10-of-14 shooting, to go with four rebounds and four assists.

Still, Castro said admits he’s still hurting a bit.

“Medyo masakit pa rin pero after this game, may break pa. Kailangan ulit mag-rehab.”

Castro is still expected to come off the bench and provide the spark anew for TNT against Ginebra on Wednesday.

“Ready na lang sa next game ulit. Kailangan naming manalo against Ginebra,” he said.