Aaron Black will have to sit out for a month as the Meralco guard is about to go under the knife to repair a meniscus problem on his right knee.
Bolts head coach Luigi Trillo shared the news on Wednesday, shortly after their bounce-back win over Terrafirma in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
“We had him checked sa doctor, MRI, and he has to have a surgery. He’ll be out one month,” he said during the postgame presser of their 107-91 victory at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate.
“That’s a big blow sa amin.”
It’s in the same knee that the 27-year-old suffered an ACL injury during their Season 48 Philippine Cup game against Magnolia last April.
That did not require surgery, allowing him to suit up in Meralco’s first two games of the ongoing import-laden conference.
But he was out against the Dyip after the team found out about his meniscus issue, indeed a tough blow for a team that’s already been hounded by injuries.
Chris Newsome was in uniform Wednesday but the coaches deemed it best to rest him instead. The team will play three games in six days starting on Sunday, including a game versus Magnolia on September 7 in Davao.
The star guard hurt his left leg, including two ankle sprains, during their eventual loss to Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and TNT the last time out.
(C) PBA Images
“Si New, yung tapilok niya, we just thought to ourselves na baka better wag munang gamitin dahil next week, sunod-sunod yung laro, may out of town kami,” Trillo said although no tears were found from the MRI scans.
“It’s just the smart thing to do not to force him. Kung Finals yan or semis or it’s a knockout game, he’ll play. At this point in time, as a staff, pinag-usapan namin, better na hindi,” the champion bench tactician added.
Also dealing with injuries, albeit minor, are big men Raymond Almazan and Raymar Jose and they are expected to rejoin the team soon.
“We don’t have Aaron; si New, for a while. Hopefully, next week he’ll be back. Toto and Raymond should be back next week,” said Trillo.
