FOR now, all Rain or Shine hopes for is a 20/20 vision or good eyes for Fuller.
But the hardworking ROS import would have to endure an injured left eye if at all he's able to play in Game Three of the Rain or Shine-Magnolia quarterfinals martchup at the Ynares Sports Center Antipolo Sunday.
Coach Yeng Guiao is calling for a probe, believing Ian Sangalang purposely poked Fuller in the eye rendering the Elasto Painters import-less in the last three quarters of a 69-121 blowout loss in Game Two Friday.
The same incident has made Fuller doubtful as the E-Painters and the Hotshots break a 1-1 standoff at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
Fuller was an immoveable force at the paint as the Elasto Painters took Game One, 109-105.
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"Mabuti na lang nakuha namin iyong Game One," said Guiao, heaving a sigh the series is at 1-1 and not 0-2.
Nonetheless, there's the Fuller eye issue as they tangle with the Magnolia team revved up by new import Jabari Bird.
In his PBA debut as the third import replacement for Magnolia, Bird compiled 22 points, 13 rebounds and two assists in 28:04 minutes, helping the Hotshots to a huge turnaround from their Game One defeat.
"He's a big factor," said coach Chito Victolero of the 6-foot-4 Bird, son of Royal Tru Orange's reinforcement Carl Bird in 1976 who assumed import duties after Glenn Robinson III, Shabazz Muhammad and Rayvonte Rice.
"It's not the numbers but it's all about the aura, the positive vibes of Jabari. I told him we just need his contribution on the little things - defense rebounding and positive energy which is naibigay naman niya sa amin in this game," he added.
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The new arrival's upbeat attitude rubbed off on the locals.
Calvin Abueva dished out an 18-10 double-double en route to player of the game honors with Ian Sangalang (12 points), Mark Barroca (11 points, 10 boards), Rome dela Rosa (11-8) and Joseph Eriobu (11) similarly doing their share.
"Na-appareciate ko ang locals namin Hindi sila nag-give up even though we have some problems with our import," said Victolero.
Magnolia held ROS to a measly 28-percent shooting (23 of 82) while totally dominating the rebounding battle, 67-37, and scoring inside the paint, 79-24, without Fuller. (SB)
