MANILA – Negrense James Yap is set to miss at least two weeks of action for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup after sustaining another groin injury.
Painters head coach Carlos Garcia said the Escalante City, Negros Occidental native hurt his groin again during the Painters’ 68-69 defeat to Magnolia Hotshots on Friday night.
The 37-year-old was hitting a basket against the defense of Hotshots’ import Romeo Travis when he suffered the injury. He hobbled down court before being taken out of the game.
“He’s out for at least two weeks yata,” Garcia said on the two-time PBA MVP awardee. “First half pa lang ng game (against the Hotshots) sabi niya hindi niya na raw kaya. Masakit daw. So we did not want to gamble with that.”
The former University of the East Red Warriors star dealt with the same injury during the Commissioner’s Cup when he missed the latter part of the eliminations and the entire playoffs, where the Painters reached as far as the semifinals.
“The last time na nagka-groin injury siya medyo nagtagal. So I don’t know how bad this is,” said Garcia.
With his expected two weeks of absence, Yap will not be able to suit up for the Painters against Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters, Alaska Aces and Blackwater Elite.
The Painters currently has 1-3 record to start the season-ending conference./PN
