Keith Datu has recently recovered from a right calf injury that sidelined him in Rain or Shine’s game against NorthPort last April 16.
Believe it or not, Rain or Shine big man Keith Datu was still on minutes restriction.
Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao had this to say after Datu shone in the team’s 120-106 win over Blackwater in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup on Wednesday, May 7.
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Still, Datu made the most of his 34 minutes of play.
The Filipino-American slotman battered the Bossing frontline with 27 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.
“As well as he was playing, I wanted to play him a lot longer but minanage ko pa rin minutes niya bandang huli,” said Guiao after the match at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate.
The 6-foot-7 is still trying to get at full strength after right calf injury that shelved him in Rain or Shine’s April 16 game against NorthPort.
Necessity forced Guiao to field him against Converge because of the absence of Beau Belga (vertigo) and Calean Tiongson (back spams).
“Nung last game namin kalaban 'yung Converge, medyo hinabol lang namin talaga na mailaro siya. Kasi masyado malalaki mga Converge eh,” said Guiao.
“Pero he wasn’t really 100 percent at that time. So the few days extra practie, extra workouts and therapy did him well.”
Guiao added: “I was watching out for him if he can play the minutes that I gave him. Binabantayan ko kung pagod na pagod na or kung kailangan na (i-sub). We managed his minutes.”
The extra work and therapy worked wonders as Datu looked better than ever against the Bossing and helped Rain or Shine claim its third win in five games.
It is hoped he will only get better as the All-Filipino conference progresses.