MANILA, Philippines – Norbert Torres will be sidelined for at least another two weeks as he recovers from stab wounds he sustained following a brawl outside a bar in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig last June 3. 

The burly big man, who needed 11 stitches on his left arm to get patched up, told reporters that he needs to wait for his doctor’s clearance before he can return to the hardcourt. 

“They said around 14 days before I can continue to play again,” Torres, sporting a bandage on his left arm, said after watching Rain or Shine’s 104-94 win over the Blackwater Elite on Friday, June 8. 

That means the 27-year-old could miss games against the Phoenix Fuel Masters on June 16 and the Meralco Bolts on June 24. (WATCH: The brawl that triggered the Jeron Teng stabbing incident)

But if it’s any consolation, he can make up for lost time with Rain or Shine already assured of a quarterfinals slot after improving to a league-leading 7-1 record. 

“Just happy that we got the win today,” he said. 

Torres, however, was mum regarding their plan against suspects Willard Basili and Edmar Lacanlale. He said he plans to meet up with Jeron Teng and Thomas Torres, who also sustained wounds in the brawl. (READ: Jeron Teng recovers but PBA comeback ‘still uncertain’)

“I have to talk to my attorney, our attorney.” 

If Torres completes his recovery within his doctor’s timeline, he can suit up in Rain or Shine’s final elimination round game against the TNT KaTropa on July 7. 

“I’ll probably wear like an arm sleeve when I do comeback. With arm sleeves siguro (probably),” Torres said. – Rappler.com