MAGNOLIA and Alaska certainly welcome the two-week break the teams will have heading to the PBA Governors Cup finals.
Coaches Alex Compton and Chito Victolero said the respite will help their players recover from their respective injuries in time for the best-of-seven title series that starts Dec. 5 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The league has to take a breather after the semifinals as it gives way to the campaign of Team Pilipinas in the coming fifth window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
"Malaking bagay yung break na ito for players na may mga nararamdaman din," said Victolero, whose two key players in Paul Lee and import Romeo Travis played hurt during the Hotshots' finals-clinching win over Barangay Ginebra Kings last week, 112-108.
"Yung mga injured players namin makakapag-pahinga at makakapag-recover," Compton said for his part as guard Chris Banchero also nursed an injury during the Aces' semifinals series against the Meralco Bolts.
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Lee is currently hampered by a knee injury, while Travis has a grade 2 hamstring injury.
Banchero meanwhile, sprained his ankle as early as Alaska's quarterfinals series against San Miguel.
So far, so good all three players are getting better, according to their coaches.
"Right now they are getting better especially Paul," said Victolero. "Si Romeo naman continues yung therapy niya and tuluy-tuloy naman ang pag-heal ng injury niya."
The Magnolia coach mentioned that even big man Ian Sangalang had been nursing bruises he sustained during the playoffs.
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"Malaking bagay talaga ito para sa amin."
Compton also shares the same notion, saying it would make a better finals having players of both teams healthy.
"Yung ibang key players may tama parang it cheats the fans," said the Alaska coach, who added guard JVee Casio is also playing hurt. "Fans want to see all the best players out there and play, and that's what we all want to see."
"So I think it's really a blessing for the PBA. It shows that everybody wins when we support the national team." (RG)
