Brandon Ramirez, fortunately, didn’t dampen the NLEX Road Warriors’ spirit in the final minutes of their PBA game against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
Brandon Ramirez suffered a dislocated jaw in NLEX’s 89-86 win over Ginebra in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup on Wednesday, May 7.
This incident occurred after a Ginebra pick-and-roll play that saw Jamie Malonzo accidentally hit him with the right hand with still two minutes and 59 seconds remaining.
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The bulky cager stayed sprawled on the floor for a while before the coaching staff assisted him into the dugout at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
His absence was a big blow for the Road Warriors, whose once 17-point performance vanished into thin air after a phenomenal fourth quarter act by Stephen Holt.
Without Ramirez, whose inside presence had helped keep NLEX in control for most of the match, things were expected to nosedive for the Road Warriors.
That didn’t happen.
Fortunately for NLEX, Robert Bolick and Xyrus Torres made some big shots in the end game, one of which was a crucial corner triple by the latter that gave the team the lead for good, 87-86.
NLEX went on to claim its fourth straight win in five games.
Before his departure, he scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds for the Road Warriors.