La Salle guard Kean Baclaan may miss the UAAP Season 88 after suffering an MCL tear, he told Philstar.com on Thursday.
Baclaan, who finally played for the Green Archers this season after spending a residency year last season, sustained the injury during La Salle’s clash with the University of the East Red Warriors on Wednesday.
With UE holding a slim 89-84 lead, there was a scramble for the ball, with Baclaan trying to call a timeout.
UE’s Wello Lingolingo, then, dove for the ball but landed on the right knee of the guard, who almost instantly screamed in pain.
The floor general was then stretchered off the floor.
Baclaan, in an exchange with Philstar.com on Instagram, said that he will be out for six to eight weeks.
‘Baka out na ako sa season. And, mas malala siya kay Mason [Amos] sabi ng doctor,’ he told Philstar.com.
Amos, who also redshirted last season after transferring from the Ateneo Blue Eagles, likewise sustained a torn MCL during the Green Archers’ matchup with the National University Bulldogs on Sunday.
Asked if he will be back by the Final Four, Baclaan said ‘it depends.’
‘Ayoko i-rush, baka mag-cause lang ng mas malala e. Gusto ko bumalik ng 100% talaga na walang iniisip,’ he stressed.
If he is indeed out for the season, he is expected to return for his final collegiate year next year.
With both Amos and Baclaan, two key rotation players for the Green Archers, now out, the Taft-based squad will still have a formidable team led by Jacob Cortez, Mike Phillips and Earl Abadam.
La Salle is currently holding a 3-3 win-loss record.