Matt Nieto is uncertain to suit up for NLEX in Game Four of their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal battle against Barangay Ginebra on Wednesday.
Head coach Yeng Guiao told Tiebreaker TImes that the rookie guard has been diagnosed with a calf strain, which he suffered in Game Three on Sunday night that dampened their season-saving 86-85 victory.
The 24-year-old has already undergone an MRI scan, the champion mentor added. The result of which will tell whether or not he’ll play in Game Four.
Surely, the Road Warriors are keeping their fingers crossed that there is no tear whatsoever on the affected part, as the team would need all the help it could get in an attempt to send the best-of-five series to the limit.
Nieto got hurt with less than seven minutes remaining in the third quarter, and with his side down 43-50. He was hobbling after missing a lay-up.
It appeared that the Gilas draftee was not able to take off properly when he went up for the shot in traffic. He was then subbed out immediately and never returned, leaving with only a pair of assists to his name.
Losing Nieto was a tough blow for an NLEX side that was already missing the services of JR Quinahan due to an injury, though unspecified.
Luckily for the Road Warriors, the remaining ones did more than enough to buck their absences and eventually cut the series deficit to 2-1.
The Ateneo de Manila product left the SM Mall of Asia Arena limping, and with his injured leg heavily wrapped in Kinesio tape.
Game Four is set at 3:00 p.m. at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
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