Magnolia Pambansang Manok import Mike Harris was taken to the hospital to undergo some tests after getting hit during the Hotshots’ 94-81 loss to the Meralco Bolts that ended their campaign in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Harris didn’t return after falling to the floor with 8:55 left in the fourth quarter of the deciding fifth game of their semifinal series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum while trying to go for the rebound against Meralco’s Raymond Almazan and import Tony Bishop.
The Hotshots reinforcement had to be helped by teammates Rafi Reavis and rookie James Laput before being observed by league and team doctors at the Big Dome hallway while receiving oxygen.
Though winded, Harris seems to be aware of the situation, even watching the game through the giant screen.
He later went back to the bench while wearing a nasal cannula and saw the final minutes of the contest that saw Magnolia’s title chances disappear.
Magnolia was down 73-67 when Harris got hurt. The 38-year-old also had to be treated in the first half when he suffered a bad fall while trying to challenge a shot inside the paint.
Hotshots coach Chito Victolero conceded that Harris’ absence was too big for his team to overcome.
“Umpisa nung nawala siya medyo hindi na ganun yung takbo ng team namin,” Victolero said while blaming himself for not preparing his team enough.
Magnolia held the league’s best record at the end of the eliminations with a 9-2 record, and made short work of Phoenix Super LPG in the quarters to reach the semis.
A come-from-behind win in Game 1 went for naught as Magnolia struggled offensively in losing the next two matches before forcing a decider with a 94-73 win.
But Harris was held to just five points, and the locals couldn’t sustain their form against a charged-up Meralco side in the second half.