Phoenix has grown uncertain about James Dickey’s status moving forward following his decision to sit out their eventual loss to Converge in a crucial PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup outing for the crew on Sunday.
The American forward cited the ankle injury he suffered during their 87-83 upset of the then-unbeaten Rain or Shine last Tuesday as his reason, which the Fuel Masters honestly believed could be manageable — and playable.
Coach Charles Tiu lamented his absence, but at the same time respected his choice even though it affected their chances of an earlier entry to the quarterfinals.
“Naibaba na nga ng mga PT namin ‘yung swelling niya, pero very unfortunate na he wasn’t able to give it a try today. We could’ve used him,” he told members of the press shortly after their 130-103 defeat at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Phoenix missed the services of Dickey, who was averaging 19.6 points, 19.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.75 blocks prior to Sunday.
Without someone to patrol the paint, the FiberXers had their way, especially the returning Donovan Smith. The import feasted on offense and finished with 32 points on 12-of-20 shooting alongside 12 rebounds.
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Tiu could only regret losing against his ex-team, as it spoiled their plans of (virtually) clinching a spot in the Magic Eight, instead dropping to 5-4.
Add to that the fact that Phoenix was coming off a massive stunner against the Elasto Painters, where the crew became the first to beat the latter after a 7-0 start.
“Of all the games, this was the one game we had to win. Kasi, if we beat Converge, we would’ve been in the playoffs already,” he said.
“Pero it is what it is. Our journey will have to be a bit harder. Now I think we have to win two of our last three games para makapasok.”
Asked if the 29-year-old Dickey’s injury would prompt a search for another reinforcement, the 37-year-old bench tactician was non-committal.
“I don’t know, man. I really can’t say. We’ll have to see. Pero, I thought it was something he could’ve probably played through,” said the usually blunt Tiu. “Pero I get naman, ayaw rin niyang mag-risk ng injury niya. It’s okay.
For now, they’re waiting for him to heal up, hoping that the days leading up to their meeting with Bol Bol and TNT this Friday would yield better news.
“Sana maka-try siya maglaro pero siguro, they will wait for the PT; I’m hoping in a few days he can be ready to play,” he said.
“Our next game is on Friday, so maybe another extra day or two of rest and he should be good to go.”
