Sol Mercado suffered an apparent ankle injury during the third quarter of Game Two of the NorthPort Batang Pier’s 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal clash versus Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Monday evening.
The 35-year-old got hurt at the 3:34-mark of the period after landing on the foot of LA Tenorio while he tried to defend the latter’s shot. He then sat on the floor while clutching on his right ankle.
Teammates Christian Standhardinger and Sean Anthony then helped Mercado on his way to the bench. He did not re-enter the court, exiting the match with just two points and a steal.
The Batang Pier lost by 25 points, 88-113, allowing the Gin Kings to tie the series at one game apiece.
“‘Di ko nga alam anong nangyari sa kanya,” opined Tenorio.
“Siguro malala ‘yun kasi parang talagang nag-twist eh.”
A diagnosis on Mercado’s injury has yet to roll out, but Tenorio hopes that nothing serious happens to his ex-teammate, saying that it’s tough for the Batang Pier to lose a veteran like him.
“I hope ‘di naman serious ‘ung kay Sol,” said Tenorio, who shared three PBA championships with Mercado.
“Ang hirap din na mawalan. They’re really playing good basketball as a team so mahirap ‘pag may nawawala, so especially si Sol na one of the vets na sanay na sa playoff basketball.”
