Ian Sangalang left Magnolia’s 78-76 loss to Meralco in the PBA Philippine Cup after sustaining a bloody nose in the second quarter of the thrilling affair held Sunday at Ynares Center II in Rodriguez, Rizal.
Sangalang was immediately taken to the locker room when he got hit courtesy of Meralco’s Brandon Bates, who was battling his way for space in hopes of getting a basket with 1:56 remaining in the second quarter.
Bates was later called for a Flagrant Foul 1 and was placed on the bench for five minutes.
A report during the game’s broadcast said that Sangalang was taken to the hospital for treatment, but was later seen on the Hotshots bench in the fourth quarter.
Coach LA Tenorio, however, opted to keep Sangalang as a spectator for the rest of the contest.
Sangalang had only four points and two rebounds in almost 18 minutes for the Hotshots, who would go on to absorb their first loss after a 2-0 start.
Bates eventually got to play a pivotal role in Meralco’s win, finishing with seven points, 15 rebounds and three blocks.
The win was Meralco’s third in a row following two straight defeats to begin the season-opening conference.
The incident came after San Miguel Beer’s Marcio Lassiter was elbowed in the nose by Rain or Shine’s Santi Santillan in the second quarter of the 111-93 rout in the opening game of the doubleheader.
Lassiter played the second half and fired 18 points to help the Beermen take care of the Elasto Painters.