Mahindra rookie Escoto injures knee, gets stretchered off

MANILA, Philippines – Mahindra big man Russel Escoto injured his knee close to the end of the second quarter of his team’s game against the NLEX Road Warriors and had to be stretchered off the playing court on Friday, January 27, at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

Escoto’s left knee gave in while trying to box out rookie Ponzo Gotladera during a Road Warriors offensive possession with 23 seconds left in the half.

The former FEU Tamaraw stayed down on the floor for a while before a stretcher was brought to the playing area for him to be taken out of the court.

Escoto had scored 12 points before going down with the injury. At the half, Mahindra led NLEX, 57-49. 

Escoto, who was Mahindra’s selection in the 2016 PBA Special Gilas Draft, was also recently named as one of the members of the national team’s pool of players for international competition. In 9 games this conference, Escoto is averaging 7.6 and 4.3 rebounds a game.

If Escoto’s injury is serious, it wouldn’t be the first time he’s forced out of action because of a major knee injury. The big man missed the entire 2013 UAAP season due to a torn ACL injury he suffered in the PBA D-League. – Rappler.com