SMART CLARK GIGA CITY — Meralco listed Reynel Hugnatan as day-to-day due to a strained groin, which is why he’s sitting out the Bolts’ 2020 PBA Philippine Cup meeting versus Terrafirma Dyip, Sunday afternoon.
Bolts team manager Paolo Trillo shared in a text message to Tiebreaker Times the situation of the veteran big man. Hugnatan suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of their match versus sister team TNT Tropang Giga on Saturday.
“We’re resting Reynel today, he felt a strain on his groin last night. We’ll take it day-to-day,” he wrote.
Hugnatan and the Bolts were on defense at that time. He tried to get in the way of a driving Roger Pogoy from the left baseline, but suddenly stopped. That left a bit of a gap that allowed Poy Erram to clean Pogoy’s missed floater.
Play then stopped with the 6-foot-4 forward clearly in pain, although he managed to walk by himself on the way to the bench. He never returned since, and left with four points, four rebounds, four assists, and a block.
The Bolts lost, 79-92.
Hugnatan, who just turned 42 last Nov. 3, has been one of Meralco’s leaders this conference. Prior to their clash versus one of the league’s title favorites, he was averaging 13.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.
The Bolts are just one win away from booking a quarterfinal spot. They will look for it against the Dyip, who have been booted out of playoff contention along with NorthPort and Blackwater.
