UAAP: Nash Racela, Adamson prepare to miss services of two key players

Adamson’s Vince Magbuhos helped off the court after injuring his right knee. -UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–With two of his key players likely out for their next game, Adamson coach Nash Racela expects the rest of the Falcons to step up as they try to bounce back in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament.

Jerom Lastimosa and Vince Magbuhos were both wheeled off the venue in the Falcons’ 91-70 defeat to University of the Philippines on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena. They are uncertain for their game against University of Santo Tomas on Saturday.

“That’s always a possibility [that they won’t play]. The other guys should be ready,” Racela said.

Magbuhos suffered a right knee injury after a collision with Malick Diouf for a rebound at the 3:33 minute of the third quarter and failed to return.

Adamson’s Jerom Lastimosa holds on to his ankle. –UAAP PHOTO

Lastimosa sprained his right foot after awkwardly landing on JD Cagulangan’s foot from his reverse layup with 5:32 left in the match.

Racela said both players will undergo an x-ray and MRI as soon as possible.

“They will go x-ray and MRI today hopefully. We’ll see what needs to be done,” he said.

Lastimosa is the Falcons’ top player, averaging 17.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, while Magbuhos is norming 7.9 points, 5.3 boards and 2.5 assists in the first round.

Despite the Falcons losing to the defending champion anew and dropping to a 3-5 record, Racela remains optimistic.

“I told them, if there’s any game we could lose, it was the game today. As long as we take care of business, we’re OK,” the Adamson coach said.