Rosario may need surgery on finger

MANILA, Philippines — TNT forward Troy Rosario sustained more than just a dislocated finger after a bad fall in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals last Sunday.

Team manager Gabby Cui and coach Chot Reyes said Rosario was also diagnosed with “spinal shock” which affects his left leg and renders him “doubtful” for tomorrow’s Game 4.

“Spinal shock causing only 70 percent sensation on his left leg plus open finger dislocation,” TNT described Rosario’s condition in a message to The STAR yesterday.

“Doubtful to return ‘coz (he) may need surgery,” it added.

Rosario took a scary fall after receiving a dangerous foul from Magnolia’s Jackson Corpuz while going for a layup at the 3:02 mark of the third quarter. He took some time on the floor before teammates carried him to the bench, his left pinky dislocated.

Despite Mikey Williams’ 39-point eruption and their furious fightback, the Tropang Giga absorbed a 98-106 setback for a 2-1 lead in the race-to-four contest.

Meanwhile, the PBA said the referee who whistled TNT’s Brian Heruela with a controversial foul on Magnolia’s Paul Lee in the second quarter will no longer serve duty for the rest of the finals.

The official was immediately bumped off the four-man referee rotation in Game 3 after his erratic call and was eventually removed from the referees’ pool for the series altogether.