Joshua Torralba is ruled out for the rest of the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup.
Blackwater head coach Ariel Vanguardia disclosed that the rookie guard is in the States recovering from a meniscus tear he suffered last December.
“Nasa US si Torralba. Doon nagre-rehab,” he told Tiebreaker Times, Tuesday.
The 28-year-old got hurt during the Bossing’s match against Phoenix Super LPG last December 11, which put his career night in vain.
He already scored 14 points before going down, and could only watch helplessly from the sidelines as his side absorbed a 99-110 defeat.
And that would prove to be the last game of his rookie campaign now that he’s out for the rest of the season, which resumes on February 11.
As tough as it is to lose one of their more promising cagers, though, Vanguardia chooses to look at the brighter side of things.
The veteran mentor said that his injured wards have all recovered, as they maximized the month-long break caused by the ongoing pandemic.
Bad luck struck Blackwater hard late last year, which saw numerous players fall. Lead guards JVee Casio and Baser Amer suffered leg injuries.
Photo by PBA Images
The 35-year-old floor general hurt his ankle also against the Fuel Masters. Amer, on the other hand, got hampered by a calf injury.
Photo by PBA Images
Aside from the aforementioned, Andre Paras also experienced knee pains, while Kelly Nabong underwent surgery to get rid of bone spurs.
Mike Ayonayon, whom the team acquired via trade with NLEX last November, was out as well reportedly due to a fracture near his left thumb.
“Okay na lahat,” shared Vanguardia, who’s also the team’s alternate governor. “Si Kelly, conditioning na lang. Pero balik na siya.”
With that, the Bossing are now working double time to prepare for the season resumption. They’re also integrating newcomers to their scheme of things.
Leading the fresh faces is import Shawn Glover, who replaced original reinforcement Jaylen Bond after going 0-5 with him.
Then there’s also Justin Melton, whom they got from a trade with Terrafirma for Ed Daquioag, as well as young forward John Ambulodto.
2019 Gilas Draft selection Rey Suerte, meanwhile, is expected to join the team right away once he tests negative from a swab test.
Blackwater is hoping to lay its 24-game losing skid to rest.
