Alaska suffered a tough blow in its 2020 PBA Philippine Cup campaign as Kevin Racal is out after tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Aces head coach Jeff Cariaso confirmed the unfortunate development during the PBA media availability session Thursday.
“Kevin is doing okay. Unfortunately, the official result is he did suffer a complete ACL tear. So he’s done for this bubble,” he said.
The 6-foot-3 forward got hurt during the third quarter of their opening day match versus TNT last Sunday which they lost, 95-100.
His right knee wobbled while playing defense and fell, leaving the match with 7:18 remaining and with the Aces up by four, 60-56.
Racal was having himself a fine outing, already having eight points, two rebounds, an assist, and a steal before the exit.
The Letran product sat out Alaska’s game versus the Meralco Bolts Wednesday evening, where the Milkmen fell to a 0-2 hole.
This is now the second ACL injury of Racal in his career. He tore his left ACL back in 2014 when he was still with the Knights.
The team has yet to decide on its next steps for Racal, who is still with the Aces inside the bubble at the Clark Freeport Zone.
“He’s still here. The word was late last night. We still don’t have a definite plan kung magste-stay ba siya konti, aalis na ba siya kagad, wala pa,” Cariaso lamented.
“Right now we’re still bearing the news that we won’t have him for the rest of the bubble.”
