Ankle bone crack sidelines Tigers’ import for a month

Coca-Cola is now frantically looking for a temporary replacement to Calvin Cage as the 5-foot-9 import was found to have sustained a ankle bone crack during his debut with the Tigers in a road match with the Talk n Text Phone Pals last Saturday in Panabo, Davao del Norte.

The doctors advised the Coke team of the injury after conducting a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test on Cage Sunday night.

“Calvin may be out for a month and a half. This is unfortunate as Calvin brings a brand of basketball that fans love to see. We will do what we can to fill the gap that Calvin leaves, hopefully temporarily,” said JB Baylon, the team representative to the PBA board.

“He’s staying here. We are taking care of him. We will do what we can to ensure his speedy recovery and return,” Baylon added.

Cage, a University of Buffalo product, sparked a Coca-Cola rally before sustaining his injury late in the third quarter, and the Tigers kept the momentum on the way to an 87-79 win over the Pals in the tournament opener.

Cage, a replacement for the Tigers’ original pick Bobby Burries, scattered 19 points, grabbed three rebounds and had an assist before leaving the game ahead of the others.

Jason Dixon, the team’s big import standing at 6-foot-9, held his ground against Aaron McGhee, finishing with 19 points and 15 rebounds.

The Tigers are up next against the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants Saturday.

Meanwhile, Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao stressed he wants Junthy Valenzuela in his team but he has no recourse but to follow  the team management  plan on the reliable 6-foot-1 guard-forward.

Guiao opted not to use Valenzuela in their game against Barangay Ginebra Sunday since the two teams were apparently on the final stage of their negotiation for a trade involving the Cebuano player and the Kings’ Sunday Salvacion.

“He’s our leader on and off the court,” said Guiao. “But I will not stand on the way if the management has its plans. My job is to coach and win games for the team.”

Cyrus Baguio shone bright in the absence of Valenzuela, making 23 points in Red Bull’s 89-83 spanking of the Kings.

“Cyrus might also be taken away from us),” said Guiao, in jest, as he entered the Araneta Coliseum press room for the post-game interview.

Kerby Raymundo, Enrico Villanueva, Lordy Tugade and Larry Fonacier were four former Red Bull stars acquired by the SMC group in earlier trade deals.

Valenzuela and Mick Pennisi are the two remaining members of the original Red Bull team in 2000. Ginebra coach Jong Uichico admitted there’s an ongoing negotiation but he’s yet to be advised it it’s already a done deal.