PBA: Wayne Selden Jr. rues foot injury as NLEX suffers quarterfinal exit
NLEX import Wayne Selden Jr., who is nursing a foot injury, watches on the bench during a game against Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines-Wayne Selden Jr. expressed regret over failing to see action in NLEX’s loss to Barangay Ginebra in the quarterfinals of the PBA Governors’ Cup on Sunday due to a sprained foot.
Selden was left to play the role of cheerleader during the 127-93 defeat that ended the Road Warriors campaign at Smart Araneta Coliseum despite efforts to try and make himself available in the past couple of days.
“It was tough,” Selden said of the injury which came during Wednesday’s loss to San Miguel Beer at Philsports Arena in Pasig City. “I tried to work it out, but I couldn’t really run. I wouldn’t have been effective had I tried to play.”
NLEX was left to play all-Filipino, and it proved that Selden was sorely missed as Ginebra turned the playoff contest into a blowout.
It was a disappointing finish for NLEX, which started the conference with four straight wins under original import Jonathon Simmons.
“I was preparing to face Ginebra with him on the floor,” NLEX coach Frankie Lim said in Filipino. “But earlier this morning, I received a text message from our doctor and said that Wayne couldn’t play.”
Selden came in as a replacement for Simmons and proved to be equally good, as seen with his conference averages of 31.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 2.4 steals in seven appearances.
But Selden and the Road Warriors went 3-4 during the latter part of the eliminations, before the Gin Kings showed them the door on Sunday.
“I really enjoyed my time here,” Selden said. “I wish I was able to compete down the stretch and give us a chance. But I had a good time here.”
