By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
What a big blow for the NorthPort Batang Pier.
After kicking off the PBA Philippine Cup season with high hopes of making it to the postseason, the NorthPort franchise just suffered a huge setback after superstar JM Calma was diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee confirmed on April 17, 2024.
It was NorthPort’s chief tactician Bonnie Tan who announced their major team development before their game against the Rain or Shine Elastopainters took place.
During the 6:27 mark of the opening quarter when the Batang Pier took on the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings, Calma was positioning at the left block and was guarding Christian Standhardinger who received a bounce pass from Maverick Ahanmisi.
As Standhardinger sized him up, the Brgy. Ginebra center decided to take it strong to the hole. After bumping bodies, Calma went down awkwardly and was out of balance, resulting in a dangerous knee injury.
Now that Calma will be out for the rest of the PBA conference and most likely the season, the Batang Pier will be banking on the services of their young frontcourt rotation led by Zavier Lucero.
Calma’s absence for a year will be missed by the Batang Pier as the steady and post-oriented player is currently averaging 7.9 points and 5.0 rebounds in the Philippine Cup.
With the three-game losing streak they suffered after their latest defeat to the Elastopainters, NorthPort slid to a 4-3 win-loss record and is looking to move in without Calma in their remaining games.
The Batang Pier franchise will seek to re-enter the PBA winning column on April 21, 2024, as they face June Mar Fajardo and the San Miguel Beermen in the second game of the scheduled doubleheader.
