Norman Black on Raymond Almazan's availability for do-or-die Game 5: 'I'll leave that decision to him'

Raymond Almazan wants to play in Game 5. PBA Media Group
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Meralco coach Norman Black implied that Raymond Almazan will once again be a game time decision for the crucial Game 5 of the PBA Governors' Cup Finals on Friday night.

Almazan suffered a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee early into Game 3 of the best-of-seven series, casting doubts on whether he will be able to finish the championship round or not.

"I'll always leave that decision unto him since that is his leg," Black said. "I can't feel what he's feeling, so I'll trust the player when it comes to whether he will play or not."

With his team then down 1-2, Almazan was cleared to play for Game 4 on Wednesday night, and as what Black observed, he looked fine.

"He's OK. I just talked to him, and he said it didn't get worse. So hopefully he'll be OK on Friday," Black further said.

But if he was to ask, Almazan would want to play again in Game 5 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay especially that his team is now 1-3 down against Ginebra.

"Sana sa Game 5, makabalik pa rin ako," he added while further saying that he is also observing how his knee will go.

Regarding how his knee went in Game 4, Almazan, who nearly got a double-double of 12 points and nine rebounds with one block, said, "[Kagabi], hindi ko na nararamdaman kasi gusto ko lang makabalik sa series."

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