PBA: Araña out for 2-3 games due to sprained shoulder ligament

MANILA, Philippines – The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters will miss one of its go-to guys in Ryan Araña for 2-3 games in their Finals series against the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers in the ongoing Philippine Cup of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). 

Araña confirmed he is nursing a sprained ligament in his left shoulder, which he sustained in Game 2 of the best-of-7 series. 

The energetic swingman, however, can breathe a sigh of relief as he was told his injury was “nothing serious.” 

“I sprained a ligament on my shoulder,” Araña told Rappler in a text message. “It was nothing serious. We initially thought it was a tear. We had to take a repeat X-ray of the shoulder yesterday from a different view just to make sure.”

“Might miss two or three games sabi ng doctor,” he added. (Might miss two or 3 games the doctor said.)

Araña, 30, started for Rain or Shine in Game 2 but only played for 9 minutes in the first quarter after hurting his shoulder.

“I was trailing James Yap kasi through the pick, ‘di ko nakita si Reavis na andun pala so bumangga ako sa kanya medyo napalakas yung bangga, at first akala ko okay lang but then after 5 sec. medyo namamanhid na siya,” he explained. 

“Pinipilit ko pa igalaw pero di ko na maiangat yung left arm ko. Tapos pinatingin ko na sa PT (physical therapist) namin agad just to be sure kung ano yung nangyari.”

(I was trailing James Yap through the pick, I didn’t see Reavis so I came in contact directly with him and the impact was a little strong. At first it was just okay but then after 5 seconds it grew numb. I tried to move it but I couldn’t lift my left arm. I had it checked by our PT right away just to be sure what happened.)

Four minutes before the opening quarter ended, Araña was subbed out and never returned to the game. 

Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao initially bared after the game that Araña was taken straight to the hospital while the match was still ongoing. He said he was in pain and appeared to have hurt his collar bone.  

“Second quarter punta na sa dugout para ipa-check sa doctor then they said pa X-ray ko na agad sa hospital. So third quarter pumunta na ako ng hospital para ma-check na talaga nila,” he said. 

(Second quarter I went to the dugout to have it checked by the doctor then they said I should have an X-ray at the hospital. So third quarter I went to the hospital to have it checked.)

Araña, who has been a spark for Rain or Shine throughout the Philippine Cup, had one block in Game 2.  

In Game 1, he had 6 points for Rain or Shine as they nabbed the first win in their Finals series against San Mig Coffee. But the Painters succumbed to a Game 2 loss, 80-70, as the Mixers evened out the series 1-1. 

The 6-foot-1 Araña averaged 9.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists during the semifinal series against the Petron Blaze Boosters.  

With Game 3 to be played on Wednesday, February 19, and the series tied at 1-all, Araña has a chance to come back by Game 5 and help his team out. 

Araña says he jumped right into therapy and is hoping to join practice again on Thursday. 

“Kakatapos ko lang mag-therapy kanina, sabi ng doctor I need two therapy (sessions) bago ko makalaro para lang daw sure, so today and tomorrow yung therapy ko,” he said. 

(I just finished therapy earlier today, the doctor said I need two therapy sessions before I can play just to be sure, so today and tomorrow I will have therapy.) – Rappler.com