Sol Mercado. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
BOCAUE — With Ginebra’s defense failing to keep up in Game 6 of the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals, coach Tim Cone couldn’t help but miss the presence of one Sol Mercado.
“Obviously, you see where we really miss him tonight,” he said, after the Gin Kings surrendered the clincher on Wednesday and allow Meralco to level the series with a 98-91 win and force a winner-take-all Game 7.
Mercado, who is averaging 3.25 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals in the Finals prior to his injury, suffered a high grade left ankle sprain late in Game 4 and has not seen action since.
The Fil-Am guard, though, attended the last two games at Philippine Arena, walking with crutches in Game 5 on Sunday before sporting a walking boot in Game 6 on Wednesday.
But with Mercado showing signs of recovery, Cone is keeping his fingers crossed that the 33-year-old slasher will be available come Friday.
“He’s walking pretty well. He’s still in his boot, but that’s more precautionary. I wouldn’t say he’s a lock to play, but I also won’t say that he’s 100-percent sure to play. Most likely, he’ll be a game-time decision,” the two-time Grand Slam-winning mentor said.
For his part, Mercado is hoping for the best for Game 7.
“I hope when I wake up on Friday, I’ll be fine. We’ll see,” he said.