PBA: Northport big man JM Calma suffers ACL injury

NorthPort Batang Pier’s JM Calma is helped to the bench after an injury during a PBA Philippine Cup game. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–NorthPort’s JM Calma is out for the rest of the PBA Philippine Cup, and likely for the early part of next season after suffering a left ACL injury in Sunday’s loss to Barangay Ginebra at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Coach Bonnie Tan confirmed that Calma is scheduled for surgery after getting hurt during the first half of the Batang Pier’s 95-88 loss while defending Christian Standhardinger on the right side of the post.

Calma was not around when NorthPort fell to Rain or Shine, and his absence seemed to have affected the team’s morale.

READ: PBA: JM Calma breaks out of slump to lead NorthPort

“We were supposed to dedicate this game to JM, only to play this bad,” Tan said after Wednesday’s 115-105 defeat at the same venue. “Hindi naman siya namatay, na-injure lang.”

Before the injury, Calma has been a main fixture on the NorthPort roster with his presence in the middle and ability to be versatile on both ends.

Calma is averaging 7.9 points and 5.0 rebounds in seven games this conference.

He also did well in the side events of the PBA All-Star Weekend in Bacolod City, winning the Obstacle Challenge and putting up a strong showing in the big man division of the Three-Point Shootout.

NorthPort dropped to 4-4 in the standings following a third successive loss.