MANILA – Solomon Mercado added to the injury woes of NorthPort Batang Pier ahead of Game 3 of the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings.
The veteran guard is doubtful to play in the 7 p.m. match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum after he sprained his right ankle in Game 2 on Monday night.
Mercado sustained the injury after stepping on the foot of Kings guard LA Tenorio. Mercado was not able to return; he finished with two points in six minutes.
Mercado, who tallied 14 points in Batang Pier’s Game 1 victory, was assisted by two NorthPort personnel on his way out of the venue.
Tenorio hoped for the speedy recovery of Mercado, who played for Ginebra before being traded to NorthPort earlier this year in exchange for Stanley Pringle.
“Hindi ko alam ang nangyari. Siguro malala ‘yun kasi talagang nag-twist. Sabi ko nga sa referee, ako dapat ‘yung foul kasi ako ang natapakan,” Tenorio said.
He added: “I hope hindi naman serious ‘yung kay Sol kasi mahirap din na mawala. They are really playing good basketball. Mahirap ‘yung may nawawala sa team, especially si Sol na one of their veterans.”
Batang Pier were already playing without rookie gunner Robert Bolick and veterans Jonathan Grey and Bradwyn Guinto due to season-ending injuries./PN