TNT’s Troy Rosario dislocated his left finger after a bad fall during his team’s 106-98 loss to Magnolia Pambansang Manok in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals at the Don Honorio Ventura State University in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Rosario was grimacing in the pain after landing awkwardly after the Hotshots’ Jackson Corpuz bumped the leaping Tropang Giga cager while sprinting back on defense with 3:02 remaining in the third quarter.
Corpuz was handed a Flagrant Foul 1, a lesser infraction under PBA rules, but was ejected anyway after incurring a technical foul earlier in the contest.
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero later spared Corpuz of any deliberate motive while also wishing Rosario a speedy recovery.
“Our prayers are also for Troy, and we don’t want it to happen,” said Victolero. “We don’t want any injuries on any other players because at the end of the day, iisa lang trabaho namin dito.”
A report from the TV5’s broadcast of the game said that Rosario was later sent to the hospital for observation.
It’s still too early to tell if the injury will affect Rosario’s status for Game 4, tentatively set for Wednesday.
Rosario has been one of TNT’s most important players during its run to the championship series.
But Rosario was held to just two points and three rebounds prior to his injury after being saddled with two quick fouls.