Venky Jois ruled out for rest of PBA season with Achilles injury

Venky Jois will undergo a season-ending Achilles tendon surgery in a huge blow to NorthPort's PBA Governors' Cup campaign. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

TAGUIG--NorthPort's last gasp to make the PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals suffered a huge hit as import Venky Jois will undergo a season-ending surgery.

Sydney Talabis, the Batang Pier's physical therapist, confirmed on Thursday that Jois suffered a partial Achilles tendon rupture during their last game against the Meralco Bolts.

Jois hurt his right foot early into the said game while trying to shoot against Allen Durham, and the burly Australian forward was stretchered out of the Ninoy Aquino Stadium hardwood moments later.

Renowned orthopedic surgeon George Canlas will be the one doing the reconstructive process on Jois.

The injury extent came at the wrong time for NorthPort as the team looks to stay alive in playoff contention.

The Batang Pier will battle the Magnolia Hotshots on Friday night also at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, and with the time to scramble for a new import too short, NorthPort might play their rematch with an all-Filipino lineup.

The Batang Pier need to beat the Hotshots to remain in contention or else, NorthPort will be officially eliminated from contention, giving the last two quarterfinal spots for Group A to Magnolia and Converge.

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