FILE–Meralco Bolts’ Akil Mitchell during Game 2 against Barangay GInebra Gin Kings in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Meralco coach Luigi Trillo bared that the Bolts import Akil Mitchell wasn’t at a hundred percent in their Game 3 loss to Ginebra that led to their exit in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
batman 688 slotFollowing the Bolts’ 94-87 loss to Ginebra at Ynares Sports Central on Sunday night, Trillo explained why Mitchell didn’t play like his usual self in Meralco’s most important game of the conference.
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“He had that back and he pulled that groin in the first quarter so you can see he wasn’t the same guy.”
Article continues after this advertisementMitchell’s apparent injury was obvious from the get-go with limited shot attempts and less drives to the basket.
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Article continues after this advertisementBy the end of the game, the Bolts’ trusty import ended up with just eight points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Mitchell’s outing in Game 3 was far different from his first two outings in the quarterfinals where he averaged 16 points and 15.5 rebounds.
Article continues after this advertisementTrillo still lauded Mitchell for playing the entire game even with a hurt groin paired up with flaring back injury that he sustained at the tail-end of the elimination round.
“You don’t want to make excuses but sometimes, those things happen. He was brave enough to play the game even with the way it was going.”
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