NorthPort is bracing for the worst as import Venky Jois went down with an apparent foot injury feared to be an Achilles issue in the Batang Pier’s game against the Meralco Bolts on Saturday, Sept. 14.

Jois went down with the injury at the 3:15 mark of the first quarter and reportedly felt something pop behind his right foot while jockeying for a position on a rebound play. 

The 6-foot-6 forward shared that he couldn’t anymore move his foot and felt numb, prompting NorthPort and league medical staff to get him stretchered off the floor and be brought to the nearest hospital for further tests.

He is expected to undergo MRI tests with the results coming in a few days.

Jois' injury came as a huge blow to a NorthPort team that is still in a hunt for playoff spot although the 114-104 loss to Meralco and Converge’s 100-99 win over Terrafirma in the second game dislodged the Batang Pier from the Top 4 picture.

Although still awaiting the full extent of Jois’ injury, the Batang Pier are reportedly already mulling contingency plans, including an import change, to fill in the void should their reinforcement be out for an extended period of time.

Jois, who played for NorthPort in the Commissioner’s Cup last season, got a call back for this year’s Governors’ Cup, replacing Taylor Johns. 

Johns played one game and actually impressed with a near-triple-double showing but had to give away to Jois who NorthPort is tapping as its resident import. Before the foot injury, Jois already sat out a game this conference due to an ankle injury.