March 12, 2016
The NLEX Road Warriors returned to the .500 mark after coming back from a huge deficit to stun Meralco, 104-99 Friday night. The Bolts suffered their second straight setback after winning five in a row to open the conference.
In the second game, Rain or Shine edged San Miguel, 108-105 to likewise even its record to 3-3 while breaking the Beermen’s three-game winning run. The Elasto Painters fielded a new import in Mo Charlo and also inserted Paul Lee in the match for the first time in the Commissioner’s Cup.
More news and tidbits from last night’s games and around the association in this edition of the PBA Pass-Through.
Fajardo hurts right knee
San Miguel big man June Mar Fajardo did not return in the second half of the Beermen’s match against Rain or Shine Friday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Fajardo hurt his right knee after it collided with a teammate’s knee during the second quarter. He was taken out of the game and his right knee was immediately wrapped in ice packs.
Fajardo was later assisted on the way back to the locker room, before being taken to the hospital for further check up.
As of last night, Fajardo said there is pain and swelling on his right knee and he will undergo an MRI to determine the extend of his injury.
The big man finished with just four points, two rebounds, and two assists on 2-for-4 shooting in 12 minutes as the Beermen eventually fell to the Elasto Painters, 108-105.
Chism not an option anymore for Rain or Shine
Photo courtesy of PBA Images
Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao said Wayne Chism will not be returning to the team at least in this conference, as the former import’s hamstring injury will need more time before healing completely.
“We wanted Chism to be rewarded with another stint for this team, but unfortunately it did not happen. We saw how he worked so hard to get us to the finals so we got him back but it did not work out for him,” Guiao said.
“Umuwi na si Wayne. The doctor told us it will be a lot longer and it would be too late at this point (to wait for him to come back).”
Chism was the Best Import of the Conference in last year’s Commissioner’s Cup, helping the Elasto Painters to a runner-up finish.
Paul Lee also returned to action for the first time in the Commissioner’s Cup. He scored just three points and was 1-for-9 from the field, along with two assists.
But Guiao does not mind the sub-par showing, as they just wanted to get Lee re-incorporated into the system.
“He’s struggling, he does not have his legs under him yet … but he was very decent. We did not expect much from him, but we just wanted him to be broken in for this game,” Guiao said.
Taulava recruiting Yeo on Instagram?
With Globalport Batang Pier wing man Joseph Yeo’s minutes continuing to dip, Asi Taulava had an idea. The Ageless One posted on Instagram earlier this week that he wants Yeo to “come home to his family.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BCp7ptJS35X/
Yeo was part of the team back when it had the name Air21 Express, and was instrumental in helping the team reach the semi-finals of the 2014 Commissioner’s Cup under coach Franz Pumaren.
Well, let’s see if this recruitment style by Taulava works.
