Helterbrand baka hindi makalaro sa Game 5

MANILA, Philippines – Nilisan ni Jayjay Helterbrand ang Araneta Coliseum noong Miyerkules na namamaga ang kaliwang hita, at pagduduhan kung makakalaro sa Game Five ng Barangay Ginebra-San Miguel Beer showdown para sa Motolite PBA Fiesta Cup championship sa Lunes.

"It appeared his hamstring injury has recurred. His status now is day-to-day, and we can only hope for the best," pahayag ni Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

"Good thing, there's a long break. We take a rest today (yesterday) and hopefully it helps Jayjay heal his injury. As we resume practice, we have to ask him everyday how he feels," dagdag ni Uichico.

Hindi na naglaro sa hu-ling tatlong minuto ng Game Four si Helterbrand na napagwagian ng San Miguel Beer, 106-104 sa krusiyal na four-point tirada ni Gabe Freeman sa endgame.

"I opted not to use him anymore so as not to aggravate his injury. If he were able to finish the game, it could have gone the other way. Everybody knows how valuable Jayjay to us," ani Uichico.

Si Helterbrand, napiling Most Valuable Player ng season, ay nananalasa nang maramdaman ang pamamaga at paninikip ng kaliwang hita.

"I didn't take him out right away. Then we noticed he's already tight. Since he could no longer move well, Danny Ildefonso got away with two baskets on pick-and-roll plays," ani Uichico.

May dalawang taon na ring binabalisa ng injury na yun si Helterbrand.

Ito rin ang injury na na-ging dahilan kung bakit hindi ito nakalaro sa loob ng kalahati ng 2006-07 season at ito rin ang dahilan kung bakit hindi rin siya nakasabak sa SEABA Championship sa Medan, Indonesia bilang miyembro ng Powerade Team Pilipinas.

"A complete rest is all that is needed to heal a hamstring injury. But he can't get a long rest with the long PBA season, then he still has his commitment with the RP team," ani Uichico.