Meralco Bolts struggling with key injuries

MANILA—The injury bug is plaguing newcomer Meralco, which will open its PBA Governors Cup campaign on Sunday without its best point guard and, possibly, without its foremost local scorer.

Chris Ross, the Filipino-American who didn’t blossom at Powerade in his first two seasons in the pro league, will miss the tournament because of a torn right anterior cruciate ligament.

Ross has been the biggest revelation for the B-Boys ever since they first came to the PBA at the start of the season. He is scheduled to go under the knife today and will be out for the rest of the season.

Not only that, the B-Boys have listed Mac Cardona as day-to-day because of a strained calf, leaving Meralco without its best scoring option.

“This is going to be a very challenging tournament for us,” Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio said. “But despite all the developments, we will find ways to win games.”

Meralco will lean heavily on import Champ Oguchi when it clashes with Petron (formerly San Miguel) in the first game scheduled 5:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

Asi Taulava has also answered another call for national duty and will be out until the conclusion of the Fiba-Asia Olympic qualifier, and veteran Marlou Aquino is also listed as day-to-day because of a pulled hamstring.

Gregorio has activated Chris Timberlake, the free agent from Derby Ace, in an effort to make it past the elimination for the second time in franchise history.

After making the Philippine Cup’s quarterfinal phase, Meralco got the boot in the Commissioner’s Cup.