In pain Dillinger likely out of semis, says Black

Meralco’s Jared Dillinger.

Meralco head coach Norman Black said Jared Dillinger is likely out for the remainder of the Bolts’ semifinals series against the TNT KaTropa.

Dillinger sat out Meralco’s Game 3 win over TNT on Saturday due to a right hamstring injury he suffered late in Game 2 two nights ago.

“The only way he’ll play again I think is if we make it to the finals. If we make it to the finals he should play. But he probably won’t play in this series,” Black said.

READ: Meralco nears finals, beats TNT in shootout

Dillinger, however, refused to rule himself out of the series and bared that he would’ve have played Monday in Game 4 had Meralco lost today.

“It depends on how the series goes. We got the win tonight so that’s great. That will give me more time to rest. If we were to lose this game, I was going to probably force myself to play for Monday,” said Dillinger, who sat on the bench in street clothes.

“I’m hoping that we win so I can get a little more rest until the finals starts.”

The 32-year-old Dillinger walked with a noticeable limp as he made his way out of Smart Araneta Coliseum following the Bolts’ 119-113 victory.

“It hurts, it’s painful. It hurts to walk around, it’s painful to move. I don’t have much mobility but I’m not gonna sulk and be sad about it, I’m just gonna focus on the positives and heal up as fast as I can.”