Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — A nasal fracture did not stop San Miguel Beermen guard Alex Cabagnot from claiming the first Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Press Corps Player of the Week award for 2017.
After ignoring doctors’ calls for surgery, a masked-Cabagnot was able to get the go-ahead to suit up for the Beermen.
Cabagnot suffered the injury during the 101-86 drubbing of Meralco on December 28.
San Miguel played two tough games in three days, as they took on the resurgent Blackwater Elite and crowd darlings Barangay Ginebra in quick succession.
Cabagnot managed to chalk up averages of 15 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3 assists as the Beermen claimed back-to-back victories.
With Cabagnot’s efforts, San Miguel clinched a berth in the Philippine Cup playoffs.
Had the San Miguel playmaker opted for surgery, he would have missed the entire Philippine Cup and portions of the next conference.
“I’ll miss part of the Commissioner’s Cup (if I underwent surgery),” Cabagnot bared. “But we’re in the middle of the season now and there are certain things you gotta do and you gotta take care of. Put the priorities at hand first.”
The San Miguel Beermen consolidated their place atop the Philippine Cup standings after their victory against Ginebra. The Beermen have a 7-1 win-loss record.
Read: San Miguel grinds past Ginebra, 72-70
