An apparent facial injury marred the PBA debut of Kyt Jimenez as San Miguel took on Meralco in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday.
The Beermen did win by way of a 93-83 decision for their first victory of the season.
However, the rookie wasn’t able to celebrate following a collision with Bolts big man Cliff Hodge at the 8:45-mark of the fourth quarter.
Replays showed that Jimenez took an inadvertent elbow on his right eye as he tried to strip the ball away from the veteran. At the time, Hodge received an entry pass and then swung the ball to Anjo Caram in the corner.
The former MPBL standout took a while to get back up. He was later helped to the San Miguel bench by Chris Ross and assistant coach Biboy Ravanes.
Jimenez never returned to the game. He left with two points, both of which he earned from the free throw line with 5:30 to go in the second period.
He also had two rebounds and two steals in the 12 minutes he was fielded.
Jimenez left the SMART Araneta Coliseum covering his hurt eye while being aided by San Miguel physical therapist Edward Bacason.
It remains uncertain how severe the injury is although SMB would definitely no longer want to add another name to its injury list.
The team is already missing the services of Jericho Cruz and Jeron Teng due to hamstring issues. Vic Manuel, on the other hand, recently underwent a minor knee procedure as reported during the game broadcast.
Star guard Terrence Romeo got hurt in the Bolts game as well after feeling pain in his left knee late in the second period, never to return.
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