Melton ruled out for the rest of PBA PH Cup Finals

Magnolia’s injury woes aren’t just in the frontcourt as point guard Justin Melton is set to miss the remainder of the PBA Philippine Cup finals against defending champion San Miguel.

Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero said Friday that Melton will need to rest “three to four weeks” due a hamstring injury the point guard sustained in the semifinals series against NLEX.

Melton joins power forward Marc Pingris in the team’s injury list as the Hotshots try to break the 1-1 tie in the championship round.

Victolero said Melton’s absence wills “very much affect” his guard rotation as they try to keep up with San Miguel’s backcourt tandem of Chris Ross and Alex Cabagnot.

Melton only played in Game 1, logging five minutes and tallying just one assist and one steal.

“Justin was a big part of our guard rotation and besides he is one of my best perimeter defenders so our guard rotation was really affected,” said Victolero who is coaching in his first championship series.

Melton was part of the Magnolia team, then known as the San Mig Coffee Mixers, that completed the 2014 Grand Slam.

“Justin is also a veteran and he know how to play in a championship series,” said Victolero.