SANGALANG OUT FOR 6 MONTHS?
Initial findings on Ian Sangalang’s right knee aren’t good.
“Hindi maganda. Dalawang ligament ata ang putol,” said Rene Pardo, Purefoods’ representative to the PBA Board, of the injury that may lead to Sangalang sitting out at least the next six months.
“That’s the initial reading on his MRI test. We’re sending the result to our doctor (Raul Canlas) for his own finding. Pero mukha talagang ACL tear. May narinig si Ian na nag-pop sa tuhod niya,” Pardo also said.
It’s a bad break for reigning four-peat champ Purefoods Star which lost a key frontcourt player barely in its first game in PBA Season 40.
In a sad incident in the Purefoods-Alaska game Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Sangalang won a crowded battle for the rebound but landed shakily on one foot and went down on the floor writhing in pain.
Drawing a foul from Samigue Eman, Sangalang was still able to take free throws but couldn’t bear the pain and eventually limped out of the court, heading straight to the lockers.
“Pina-MRI na agad namin and the result was that,” said Pardo.
“Another player down against Alaska. Remember Allein Maliksi? Pero accidental naman talaga,” said Pardo.
Sangalang, a former San Sebastian star in the NCAA, was coming off a decent rookie season where he landed in the All-Rookie team of the PBA Press Corps. (SB)
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