RAIN or Shine missed two key players Saturday night when its five-game winning streak was finally snapped in the PBA Commissioner's Cup.
First round rookie picks Caelan Tiongson and Felix Lemetti didn't suit up in the team's 93-91 loss to the Phoenix Fuel Masters due to injuries Saturday night.
According to coach Yeng Guiao, Tiongson is out with an ankle injury and Lemetti has an inflammation in his Achilles.
Guiao said both injuries are not really serious as the team just gave both Fil-foreign players time to rest and make them ready for the bigger battles ahead.
"We just don't want to aggravate it," said Guiao of the health situation of Tiongson, who hurt his ankle after stepping on the foot of teammate Adrian Nocum while backpedaling during Rain or Shine's 122-106 win over Blackwater.
Sponsored content:
"We're just managing him. Load management."
It's the same thing as in the case of Lemetti.
"Again we're trying to give him as much rest as we can so that he can also be fresh," said Guiao of the Fil-Swedish player.
The absence of Tiongson and Lemetti, taken at nos. 7 and 8 respectively, by the Elasto Painters (5-2) in the last draft, added to the injury woes of Rain or Shine, which is already without Gian Mamuyac (fractured hand) and Luis Villegas (ACL).
But unlike Mamuyac and Villegas, who are out for the rest of the conference, Guiao said Tiongson and Lemetti will be ready for the coming week when the team battles Converge and league leader Northport.
Sponsored content:
"They're going to be able to play," stressed the veteran coach. (RG)
