THOUGHTS | TOO MANY INJURIES

In the NLEX versus TNT game in which the Road Warriors won in an overtime thriller, DeQuan Jones suffered an unfortunate accident when he reportedly fractured his right leg completely.

Now, I don't think Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser meant for the accident to happen, so let's not place the blame on him. I also know some players take physicality to a whole new level. I understand that this is something the PBA needs to address as well, because there must be a fine line between playing physically and crossing the line into what has become notorious in other leagues.

I also understand Yeng Guiao's sentiment regarding the Cliff Hodge controversy. I know Hodge is just doing his job, but he needs to find an even ground so people won't equate his name with being a dirty player.

But less than 24 hours after Jones' unfortunate injury, another devastating injury struck. This time, Titan Ultra super rookie Bryan Sajonia's career is in jeopardy after suffering ACL, MCL, and PCL injuries to his left knee. The former NCAA Finals MVP was one of the reasons why the Giant Risers finally agreed to let Joshua Munzon go. Munzon has got to be unhappy with the Giant Risers because they haven't been able to build a foundation around him. However, with Sajonia's injury, Tiebreaker Times reported that they have already nixed the Munzon trade because they now need players more than draft assets.

And the scary thing about this is that the Sajonia injury happened in the same area where Jones suffered his injury.

Wow.

Anyway, I think the PBA, as well as arena operators all over the country, need to do more to make sure their venues are protected from the elements.

It's bad enough that players from opposing teams have to go all out so they won't be labeled as soft or lax, but if physicality is something that can't be avoided, then there is an even greater need to eliminate the other potential threats.

Hey, I am not saying that Jones' injury is the arena's fault because he did make contact with Ganuelas-Rosser. But if you look at the footage, you can also see his foot skidding. Still, it was a freak accident, and I think DeQuan Jones was awesome throughout the whole thing because he clearly held his own even after it happened.

And when he was being wheeled off the court, he sat up from the stretcher, clapped, and gave everyone a thumbs-up.

DeQuan was awesome here, and I hope he'll return to the PBA once he has fully recovered from his injury.

That said, Jones' Governors' Cup campaign is over, and just like what happened with TNT and Bol Manute Bol during the last Commissioner's Cup, the NLEX Road Warriors now need to scramble to find a worthy replacement if they want to continue their winning ways.

The only thing working in NLEX's favor is that the PBA will have a break in preparation for the FIBA World Cup qualifiers. This gives the team about a month to find a replacement and get the new import acclimated to its system.

Now, we go back to the arenas.

I know that's easier said than done, especially since we aren't a rich country. But this isn't a problem exclusive to the Philippines, either. There have been NBA games canceled because of snowstorms. In an open-field sport like baseball, weather can also become a major issue, especially since even simple rain showers can affect a player's line of sight.

And who can forget what happened when Alex Eala won her first WTA 500 tournament?

In the Philippines, heavy rains can also affect the moisture on a basketball court. But this isn't even limited to the rainy season. There was a time when players were constantly slipping on the same spot in an arena that I won't mention.

But here's a clue: this arena isn't the Smart Araneta Coliseum nor the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

I think there's a reason why Araneta and MOA have become go-to spots for games, concerts, and other major activities. They have the facilities and, more importantly, the reputation for being able to accommodate major events with high safety standards.

I remember back in the day when the PBA once had an idea of creating its own arena. I think it was either where Centris is now or somewhere on the other side of the Quezon Avenue-EDSA intersection. The PBA eventually shelved the idea because, by that point, it had already struck deals with the aforementioned arenas. Since then, the PBA has also held games at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Ynares Center in Pasig, and Ynares Center in Antipolo.

I know basketball is a physical sport, and it's hard to combat the wrath of nature. But I guess what I'm trying to say is that the venues also need to take care of their reputation.

I mean, a simple mop man ready to spring into action after a sequence or during a dead-ball situation could be the simplest answer.

Again, there was a game I watched in which players were slipping left and right on the same spot. What's scary is that this particular spot gets the most traffic because it's underneath the basket.

I think the arenas also need to invest in moisture-resistant basketball flooring. I don't know where they can get it or how much it would cost, but if they want to keep making steady money from hosting games, they need to find a way to improve their PR situation amid all the injuries.

I remember a time when players were staying away from Adidas shoes because of the alleged basketball curse. Not only was Derrick Rose affected by this, but so were others, including Tracy McGrady, John Wall, and, most recently, Damian Lillard.

I believe this is simply a case of bad luck.

But then again, there are circumstances that people can control.

I don't think any amount of traction spray would help a game if there aren't assertive mop boys ready to act when the situation calls for it.

If the PBA is willing to pay big bucks to hold its games in a major arena, then the arena owners should also require a signed document stating that the venue has passed all necessary safety standards.

One might think this is a simple problem, but when it comes to a job with a limited time span like being a professional athlete, everything has to be in place to protect their health and safety.

I mean, it's bad enough that these players already have injury histories, let alone having to worry about other variables that could potentially be prevented.

And for the players, I think they also need to be responsible for their actions. Again, I said this earlier in the blog, but if they don't want to be tagged as dirty players, then they need to find a way to play physically without putting another player's career in jeopardy.