ANTIPOLO – Akil Mitchell is headed to the hospital after suffering a broken nose mere seconds into Meralco’s PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup meeting against the debuting Rain or Shine at the Ynares Center here on Sunday.
As of this posting, the 32-year-old import is being transported to the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan to have his injury treated.
Mitchell got hurt just 12 seconds into the ball game after opposing big man Keith Datu inadvertently hit his face in trying to contest his layup.
He was then sent to the team’s locker room and initially wanted to feel first if he could return to the ball game, according to accounts, but no longer pushed through and decided to go to the hospital instead to undergo treatment.
The unfortunate development not only left a gaping hole to the Bolts’ frontline, but has reduced the ongoing game into an all-Filipino affair as well.
Deon Thompson is sitting out his supposed debut as he’s yet to secure a special work permit, the Elasto Painters announced via social media prior to tip-off.
Thompson, 36, was a last-minute replacement by Rain or Shine for original choice Kenneth Kadji. Details behind the move are still undisclosed.
The Elasto Painters are playing two men short as Gian Mamuyac is out indefinitely due to a right-hand fracture, the team said.
#WATCH: Meralco goes all-Filipino against Rain or Shine as Akil Mitchell is sent to the nearest medical facility 🏀
📹 @JustineBacnis/ Tiebreaker Times#PBA2024 pic.twitter.com/hz6bo46agZ
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) December 1, 2024
