Rain or Shine rookie Keith Datu.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Rain or Shine will have to wait a little longer before having its promising rookie Keith Datu back in the lineup.
Coach Yeng Guiao revealed that things are not looking good for Keith Datu to return from a knee injury anytime soon.
“Keith is so huge for us. We missed him especially in that San Miguel game, Beau (Belga) was alone bumping the Beermen’s bigs. Datu may be out for six more weeks according to our doctors,” said Guiao.
“Maybe his return will be in the next All-Filipino. We can’t tell so we’re preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. Hopefully, he can still make it. We’re preparing that he can’t make it but we’ll do our best to get him in game shape and recover from injury.”
Datu suffered the injury during Rain or Shine’s loss to Ginebra on March 8.
Prior to the injury, Datu posted norms of 8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game for the Elasto Painters, who are currently holding a 1-4 record.
Datu’s absence is a big blow to the Painters, who are now left to rely more on Santi Santillan to play the four.
“With Santi, I want him to play wing because we have an advantage there but when he plays the four, we’re too small. We have no choice now, though, without Keith.”
“With Santi’s playing time, there are moments where he has to play the four but the good thing with him is, he memorizes his positions.”
On Sunday, Santillan was two points shy of a double-double with eight points and 10 rebounds that went with three assists.