MANILA – NLEX Road Warriors is bound to lose two of its key wing players for the remainder of the 2021-2022 PBA Governors’ Cup after sustaining injuries.
According to Road Warriors head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao, it is doubtful if rookie Calvin Oftana and veteran forward Anthony Semerad can still return after being hurt against Meralco Bolts last week.
Oftana, the No. 3 overall pick by the Road Warriors in the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft, suffered a fractured left hand (4th metacarpal) that will be in a cast for at least six weeks.
Semerad, who arrived to the Road Warriors in an offseason trade with TNT Tropang Giga, went down with a right calf strain and will be in an aircast for the next six weeks.
A good news for the Road Warriors, however, is Filipino-American guard Kris Rosales, who is spared from lengthy absence after dislocating his pinky finger.
Guiao said the absence of the two forwards was a huge blow for the Road Warriors, which now has 4-2 win-loss slate after losing its last two matches.
“The bigger disappointment is may injury si Calvin and Tony. In the long term that is the more serious problem for us,” the seven-time PBA champion coach said in an interview.
“It’s ok to lose one game now, but the problem now is losing two key players. So ‘yun ang mas malaking concern ko ngayon,” added Guiao.
Already out for the Road Warriors is Ilonggo Kiefer Ravena, who opted to play for Shiga Lakestars in Japan B.League, and Michael Miranda, who is also out with an injury.
The Road Warriors will play undefeated leader Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots this afternoon followed by win-less Blackwater Bossing on Friday./PN
