Ginebra officials hoping - and praying - Caguioa injury not as bad as feared

BARANGAY Ginebra officials are hoping - and praying - that the injury suffered by Mark Caguioa late in an 84-81 win over Meralco on Friday night is not as serious as feared.

The reigning league MVP slipped after making a bad pass to Chris Ellis that was intercepted by Meralco with 2:33 left in the game, his left knee folding in a very awkward angle as he crumpled to the floor.

Caguioa immediately asked that he be taken to the dugout where he was examined and the left knee iced by team doctors and therapists. He never returned to the game.

Here's a short clip of Caguioa inside the Ginebra dugout after the injury:

[youtube][/youtube]

The initial diagnosis is a hyperextended knee, but a more detailed examination will be made on the knee by famed orthopedic surgeon Raul Canlas on Saturday morning.

However, Ginebra officials remain anxious as there are also fears that it could be an MCL (Medial Cruciate Ligament) tear.

“May nag-snap kasi sa tuhod niya, kaya maya maya nag-aya na siyang madala sa dugout,” said a Ginebra source. “Pero he is smiling a few minutes after, so I am praying na okay ang lagay niya. Hope it is not serious."

Another source said Caguioa had played through pain in his back during the game.

Caguioa has twice suffered MCL injuries in his career. An MCL injury would mean atleast four to six weeks of layoff for the league's leading scorer in the mid-season tournament.

Caguioa finished the game with 21 points, five rebounds, and two assists.

SOURCE: SPIN.ph

grade 1 MCL injury ....1 week rest for caguioa.....