RAIN or Shine coach Yeng Guiao admitted the hand injury suffered by rookie Felix Pangilinan-Lemetti was a setback for both player and team.
The veteran mentor said losing Lemetti to a fractured left hand couldn't have come at the inappropriate time when the Elasto Painters are strongly gunning for a Top 4 finish heading to the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
"He was just really getting into his groove and then nangyari yun," said Guiao of Lemetti following the team's 94-85 win over Terrafirma on Wednesday night at the Philsports Arena.
And losing the Fil-Swedish guard, picked no. 8 overall by the team in the last draft, had a huge effect on the team, Guiao noted.
"Medyo bumagal kami, kasi si Felix pag nagdala ng bola parang kangkarot yun, e. Ang bilis. Natural sa kanya yung mabilis siya," said the Rain or Shine coach.
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Lemetti suffered the injury in practice when his hand hit a body part of Shaun Ildefonso while going for a rebound.
As per doctors' assessment, it would take at least six weeks for the fracture to fully heal, making Lemetti possibly out for the rest of the season.
His absence is definitely a big shoe to fill in especially among the Rain or Shine guards, according to Guiao.
"Yung mga ibang guawardiya namin, kumbaga sa kabayo, kailangan pinapalo mo pa para bumilis," said Guiao. "Si Felix, may kusa. Itutulak mo lang mabilis na. Yung iba naming guwardiya pinapalo pa para bumilis."
Despite the absence of Lemetti, Rain or Shine managed to improve to 6-3 overall for a share of no. 4 with Barangay Ginebra.
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The Elasto Painters will next take on the San Miguel Beermen in Cagayan De Oro City this Saturday in the league's final provincial foray this season. (RG)
