Caelan Tiongson rolled his left ankle late in Rain or Shine’s win over Blackwater in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao is keeping his fingers crossed as prized rookie Caelan Tiongson went down with an injury in the team’s 122-106 win over Blackwater in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
As he was backpedalling back on defense after a mid-range jumper, Tiongson rolled his left ankle on Adrian Nocum at the 5:37 mark of the third period.
Tiongson did not return after that.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Yeng Guiao shares additional motivation in Rain or Shine’s drubbing of Blackwater]
“Actually, tinanong ko kung puwede siyang maglaro. Sabi niya, puwede naman kung kailangan,” said Guiao after the match at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Fortunately, the Elasto Painters no longer needed his help down the stretch with Nocum spearheading the late assault.
Guiao opted not to field Tiongson in to avoid aggravating the injury.
“Hindi naman siya kinailangan towards the endgame dahil under control naman. May double-digit [lead] kami all the way through so hindi ko na siya isinugal,” the firebrand mentor added.
[RELATED STORY: Adrian Nocum wows everyone with acrobatic layups, lifts Rain or Shine past Blackwater]
Before his exit, Tiongson had 11 points, including nine in the third period, that went with two rebounds and two assists.
Guiao now awaits the official assessment of the team’s medical team with regard to the severity of the injury.
“Tingnan natin ang assessment ng mga PT namin kung gaano ka-serious ang nangyari sa kanya,” said Guiao