Arellano University came in undermanned for its second round meeting against San Beda University, missing four key players due to injuries.
Chiefs head coach Cholo Martin shared that their two big men in Cade Flores and Joshua Abastillas both endured sprained ankles from practice, and their absence was greatly felt in their 76-63 loss to the Red Lions.
With their bigs out, Arellano got outrebounded by San Beda, 56-35, as Lars Sunga and Wilmar Oftana grabbed most of their boards filling in for their injured teammates.
Meanwhile, two gunners in Shane Menina and Neil Tolentino saw limited action in the game with the veteran Menina logging in just 36 seconds of play. Tolentino, on the other hand, played for three minutes and 34 seconds.
The two cagers, according to Martin, are suffering from back spasms from their training as well. Without them, the Chiefs only shot 33.3 percent from the field, making 23 of their 69 attempts.
"Sobrang laking factor kasi first five ko 'yun eh. Lumaban kami ngayon eh kaso kapos eh, wala kaming rotation masyado," Martin stressed.
Martin, though, lauded his bench players for stepping up while hoping to have his star players return in time for their match against San Sebastian College-Recoletos on Friday.
"Expected naman 'yun kasi hinahanda naman natin sila para nga in case na ganito, magkaro'n ng injury, ready naman sila."
—JMB, GMA News
