By Waylon Galvez
Meralco center Raymond Almazan will undergo left knee surgery anytime this month to repair a tear on his lateral meniscal that will keep him out of basketball-related activities for six weeks.
Meralco’s Raymond Almazan shows up in street clothes for Game 5 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. (Waylon Galvez)
“Yes magpapa-surgery na ako,” said the 6-foot-9 Almazan as he walked with a slight limp together with wife Liza prior to Game 5 of the PBA Governors’ Cup finals Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
With the best-o-seven series tied at 1-1, Almazan injured his knee in the first quarter of Game 3. He did not play after that and had Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI test after the match, which Ginebra won 92-84.
Two days after the MRI, it was revealed he had a tear on the lateral meniscal.
Almazan made a surprise appearance in Game 4 and played for almost 28 minutes, contributing 12 points and nine rebounds. However, it was obvious he was in pain.
Almazan was in street clothes in Game 5 and said that while he still wants to continue playing, he was advised by team doctors not to as it might aggravate the injury.
He said that he would be out for six weeks.
“Doon sa six weeks kasama na yung therapy, rehabilitation, strengthening and conditioning. So hopefully, makabalik ako sa paglalaro in time for the Philippine Cup,” said Almazan.
The next PBA season, which starts with the all-Filipino conference, is set March 6, and Almazan is excited for Meralco.
“Of course, yun na ang focus. Alam naman natin na mag Philippine Cup iba yun e. Hopefully healthy kaming lahat, kumpleto ang team. Si Allen (Maliksi) nandito na din, so tignan natin. Sana maging maganda para sa amin.”
The injury to Raymond Almazan proved to be crucial in Meralco’s title bid in the PBA Governors’ Cup. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio)
Source: Manila Bulletin
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