Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Rain or Shine just couldn’t catch a break.
Adding to the uncertainty surrounding the status of its starting center Raymond Almazan, another key Elasto Painter in Beau Belga is expected to miss the rest of the conference due to plantar fasciitis.
“I think he’s gonna be out the next two to three weeks so technically out for the conference,” Rain or Shine head coach Caloy Garcia told reporters on Sunday.
Belga sustained the foot injury early in the Elasto Painters’ stunning 100-84 loss to the lowly Columbian Dyip on Friday.
The 31-year-old Belga was sorely missed by Rain or Shine on Sunday when it dropped an all-important duel to Meralco, 91-82.
Belga rued the timing of his injury with Rain or Shine, which is currently in 10th place with a 2-6 record, fighting for survival.
“Just when Raymond’s not around and the team badly needs me I get injured but we can’t do anything about it. We can’t really tell when an injury is going to come,” Belga said in Filipino.
“I need to do therapy for the next two weeks then, we’ll see. Hopefully, if we make the playoffs I’d be able to join the team,” Belga added.
Playing extended minutes in the absence of Beau Belga, Norbert Torres delivered with 16 points and six rebounds.
“That’s what we need right now. We need players who will step up in the absence of others because we’re in a position where we can be eliminated so everyone has to step up,” Belga said.
Still, Garcia remains upbeat ahead of Rain or Shine’s last three games beginning with Phoenix.
“We have to try and beat Phoenix first and if we can beat Phoenix then, we only have to win at least one more game to at least get a playoff for the last spot,” he said.