Coming off a stint with Gilas Pilipinas in Lebanon, Raymond Almazan had to be carried out of the SMART Araneta Coliseum on a stretcher moments after the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ 92-88 victory over the Star Hotshots, Sunday evening.
According to witnesses in the dugout, the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup stalwart could barely stand and walk. The six-foot-eight big man from Bataan had played while stricken with flu.
#PBA2017 Rain or Shine F Raymond Almazan stretchered out of the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Details to follow pic.twitter.com/ZK5563aZjs
— Justine Bacnis (@justinebacnis) August 27, 2017
“Raymond today was sick,” confirmed Elasto Painters head coach Caloy Garcia after the match.
“Yesterday sa practice, he was okay. But when he came in today, medyo malata.”
Almazan and the national team arrived this past Tuesday. Against Star, he played 18 minutes and 24 seconds, and was a vital piece in their third straight win, posting a double-double of 13 points and 14 rebounds.
