If he can have it his way, San Sebastian College-Recoletos head coach Egay Macaraya would want his starting guard Ichie Altamirano to sit out the remainder of the NCAA Season 97 after suffering an ankle injury.
Altamirano was unable to finish the Stags' game against Emilio Aguinaldo College last Wednesday after hurting his right ankle early in the fourth quarter. It was later reported to be a Grade 3 ankle sprain as Altamirano never returned to the court.
Altamirano also missed Tuesday's 70-64 win against Jose Rizal University.
And Macaraya wants it to stay that way as he encourages his top guard to recuperate for the rest of the tournament.
However, the 5-foot-11 playmaker is insisting he can still play through pain as San Sebastian eyes to make it to the play-in tournament.
"Si Ichie, as the doctor said, ako talaga ay i-let na si Ichie na i-rest na for the next season but he begged na kaya na niya maglaro for the next game," said Macaraya.
"I don't know if may go-signal na si doctor kung pwede na siya maglaro but I don't want to risk his basketball career doon sa two games [left sa elimination round]. Kung hindi talaga kaya, then hindi ko siya paglalaruin."
Without Altamirano manning the backcourt, San Sebastian was still able to escape JRU to improve to 3-4. JM Calma paced the Stags on both ends, finishing with 26 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.
"Si JM Calma is always there, hindi naman yan nawawala 'yang bata na yan," said Macaraya.
"He's been working hard both on offense and defense and kailangan lang na may katulong and the good thing about it is nagsa-scatter yung points namin and may tumutulong."
—JMB, GMA News
