Meralco head coach Norman Black isn’t too optimistic that Raymond Almazan will be able to return to action soon, particularly in Game Four of their 2021 PBA Philippine Cup semifinal battle with Magnolia on Sunday.
That’s because the 6-foot-8 slotman’s left ankle injury “looks pretty bad,” according to no less than the veteran mentor himself.
“It looks pretty bad. He can barely walk this morning,” he admitted.
“The way he looked this morning, I’m not that confident that he will play on Sunday.”
Almazan suffered the injury in Game Two and did not see action in Friday’s game. Black, though, said that the eight-year product insisted that he wanted to. Still, the coaches deemed it best not to allow him, given his condition.
“He wanted to play. But, of course, we’re not gonna let him play under those circumstances,” said the champion bench tactician.
Almazan was among those who were out of Game Three along with Trevis Jackson and Jammer Jamito, who are still under health and safety protocols.
Despite playing shorthanded, Meralco came out victorious, 91-86, to avoid falling to a dangerous 0-3 hole in the best-of-seven affair.
Now, the Bolts are looking to take Game Four as well to extend the series — and to give Almazan more time to recover and come back.
“At least we have extended the series now, so it gives him a much better chance of coming back and playing again.”
