Dimaunahan hopeful Stepheson will be back to anchor Blackwater

MANILA, Philippines—Blackwater had the unfortunate fate of facing a San Miguel team that finally clicked on the same day it lost import Alex Stepheson. 

Elite head coach Aris Dimaunahan said his big man was having “health problems” that forced him to sit out the 127-106 loss against the Beermen in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup

“He has health problems right now and he’s being checked. I hope he gets his health back in the coming days and help the team again,” said Dimaunahan in Filipino Friday at Mall of Asia Arena. “He has to recover first and hopefully he’ll be back in the next few games.”

Stepheson was a monster for the Elite averaging 22.2 points, 22 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in his first six games and his presence was sorely missed against the Beermen, who had Charles Rhodes finish with 32 points, 19 rebounds, and six blocks. 

San Miguel, which won its first game after losing its opening couple of outings, also had four more players score in double figures with Marcio Lassiter lighting up from beyond the arc going for 29 points on 9-of-16 shooting from deep. 

Dimaunahan, whose team dropped to 5-2, said they don’t have a timetable on when Stepheson will be back and that his center’s health problems have been lingering even before the game against the Beermen. 

“Hats off to the guy, despite his condition he was still able to play that way,” said Dimaunahan. “He was a monster in his first six games. And I just want to thank him for helping our team.”