Chris Ross admitted that he felt some discomfort in his Achilles tendon, so he did not finish the San Miguel Beermen’s 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup match versus the Alaska Aces on Friday evening.
The do-it-all floor general – who missed the mid-season conference’s opener due to knee and shoulder injuries – only played for 13 minutes and 36 seconds. He then exited with just two rebounds, two steals, and an assist.
“Just felt some discomfort in my Achilles.
“I had sprained my ankle two days ago, and I sprained it again in the first quarter, and I started feeling discomfort in my ankle and Achilles,” said the 34-year-old Ross.
Fortunately, the Beermen already built a big lead in the second quarter thanks to their 36-point performance in the period. That explosion rocked the Aces, and they never recovered as SMB walked away with the 119-101 win.
“I could have kept playing but we already had the lead, so we kind of decided to shut it down. I don’t want to put any extra pressure on it,” Ross said. “If it was a closer game, I could have continued.
“But it was kind of a collective effort.”
Ross said that playing in “an older facility” affected him. Friday night’s games were at the decades-old Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City – the home of Asia’s first pro league from 1993 to 1998.
But when asked if he will have it checked sooner, Ross believes the injury isn’t too serious.
“I don’t know. I don’t think it’s that bad to have it checked. It’s just a little discomfort, especially with playing here – it’s a bit of an older facility, older court, the floor is a bit harder. It kind of takes its toll on your joints and muscles,” said the 10-year pro out of Marshall.
“It doesn’t need to be checked. It’s just something that has to be managed.”
Given what happened, Ross’ status for San Miguel’s match versus Magnolia Hotshots on June 26 is still unsure. But, of course, as the warrior – or as a Wolverine, as he’d said before – that he is, he plans to play.
“We’ll see, man. See how my body reacts and go from there on. My plan is to play, but we’ll see,” the seven-time PBA champion said.
“I got a few days to get some therapy and get some rest, and see how it feels on Wednesday.”
