Semerad, Taha injured in physical SMB-Ginebra Game 1

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

With stakes at an all time high in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals, two players have already suffered injuries in the first half of the San Miguel-Ginebra series on Friday.

David Semerad and Paolo Taha succumbed to knee injuries in separate plays in the second quarter, costing both the Beermen and the Gin Kings a player each.

Semerad hurt his right knee on a rebound play after Japeth Aguilar fell on top of him at the 9:03 mark of the second quarter.

The hardworking forward had to be brought back to the San Miguel dugout by his teammates, and the doctors initially diagnosed the injury as a hyperflexed right knee.

Taha later on incurred a right knee injury with 33.1 seconds remaining in the second frame.

The 6-foot guard tried to contest Chris Ross’ fastbreak play, but a trailing Aguilar inadvertently pushed Sol Mercado and all three hit the deck on the play.

Mercado and Ross landed on Taha, who hurt his right knee and was taken back to the Ginebra locker room.

San Miguel led Ginebra, 50-41, at the half as of posting.