Bad luck bit hard on NorthPort as JM Calma suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear on his left knee and will be sidelined for 10-12 months. 

Calma sustained the injury in the early goings of NorthPort’s loss to Barangay Ginebra when his left knee buckled while trying to defend a driving Christian Standhardinger in the opening frame.

The third-year center fell down and immediately clutched on his knee before being helped off the floor by his teammates.

It was a huge blow to Calma especially that the injury came at the time when he was starting to establish his footing in the PBA since joining the league in 2021.

Calma actually showed vast improvement on his game and had solidified his place at the starting center spot for coach Bonnie Tan, averaging 7.9 points, 6.0 rebounds in 17 minutes of play.

He was even fresh off a stellar 23-point, 13-rebound performance, both of which was his career-best in NorthPort’s blowout win over TNT just a week ago.

The Batang Pier are now left with rookies Zav Lucero and Cade Flores to man the paint.