BARAKO Bull veteran center Enrico Villanueva is set to undergo an MRI test on his knee on Saturday after the former Ateneo star went crumbling to the floor in pain late in the Energy Cola’s 85-86 loss to Air21 in the PBA Philippine Cup on Friday night at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Villanueva injured the knee as he tried to zigzag past Express big man Rob Reyes on a fastbreak. The 6-5 slotman fell to floor clutching his knee, and later told Barako Bull coach Junel Baculi that he felt something "snap" on the knee during the play.
Baculi said the team is hoping and praying the injury is not serious, but aired fears that their most reliable big man has suffered an ACL tear on the knee.
Mark Mabasa, the physical therapist of Barako Bull, said Villanueva is set for an MRI test on the knee at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Global City and will be examined by Dr. George Canlas.
“Titingnan pa bukas (Saturday) after mag-MRI sa Global. Na-twist yung knee,” said Mabasa.
The injury came at a time when the veteran Villanueva is enjoying a renaissance in his playing career after being acquired by the Energy Cola in a trade with Ginebra during the offseason.
The Smart Gilas mainstay is averaging 14.2 points and 9.2 rebounds in 32.7 minutes of action with the Energy Cola this conference, far better than his clips of 6.7 points and 4.9 rebounds in 19.9 minutes with Barangay Ginebra last season.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
