Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao said Wednesday night that the Elasto Painters are prepared for the worst when it comes to Wayne Chism’s injury.
“Wala pa kaming update sa medical status niya. We know it is a pulled hamstring. We don’t know yet how serious it is. Kung kaya mag-heal in a week or so then we will wait for him,” Guiao shared.
Chism was taken out of the Elasto Painters’ match against the Meralco Bolts in the third period after being unable to complete a fastbreak play. He had gone down while clutching his left hamstring.
Initial reports on the TV broadcast by Sports5 reporter Rizza Diaz stated Chism tried to return in the fourth quarter but eventually, the import told Diaz, “the pain on (my left leg) is unbearable.”
Guiao is hoping for the best, although the team is also ready to look for a replacement “just in case the news is not too good” regarding Guiao.
“If it takes more than that, we might replace him. We are already considering back-ups. We are hoping we can have time to bring somebody in. I don’t know if somebody can be ready by Sunday (next game) pero by next Saturday siguro meron na, kung hindi talaga uubra si Wayne,” the mentor said.
Chism won the Best Import of the Conference in the Commissioner’s Cup last season. He logged only 16:48 on Wednesday night, and scored three points on 1-for-5 shooting.
Guiao added the Elasto Painters will try their best to play Paul Lee in the team’s February 27 game against the Alaska Aces although the target is to have him back by the first week of March.
Lee injured his knee at the beginning of this season’s Philippine Cup; he was able to suit up in the semi-finals against eventual champion San Miguel but was forced to sit out again after re-injuring the knee.
