Allergies force Cabagnot to leave San Miguel practice

As San Miguel starts off its preparation for Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, a minor setback hit the defending champion’s camp.

Point guard Alex Cabagnot had to leave the Beermen’s Wednesday practice earlier than usual after contracting allergies.

Head coach Leo Austria said Cabagnot lasted around half an hour before the team chose to rush him to the nearest hospital in order to prevent the condition from worsening.

“We just wanted to contain the allergies because if we don’t act on it further side effects might happen,” said Austria in Filipino at Acropolis Club House. “He already looked red during practice, so we decided to send him to the hospital.”

“I don’t know how he got it, he was practicing well and his shots were falling. Then, he started to get itchy and he manifested redness.”

Cabagnot has been stellar for the Beermen in the two games they’ve played in the championship series against the Magnolia Hotshots.

The 2017 Commissioner’s Cup Finals MVP has been filling up the stat sheets for San Miguel norming numbers of 21 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 8.5 assists as the Beermen and Hotshots take a 1-1 series tie heading into the Holy Week break.

Austria said he didn’t want to risk having Cabagnot finish the practice as he fears the allergy might affect his point guard’s breathing in the long run.

“We’ll see if it’s a minor allergy, we can’t just let it pass because it might affect the upper respiratory system,” said Austria.