Duremdes injured, out for 2 weeks

Sta. Lucia Realty has practically clinched a slot in the Samsung PBA All-Filipino Cup Final Four but the team has one big reason to be wary with Kenneth Duremdes declared out for at least two weeks with a strained calf muscle.

The Realtors were in the process of putting the final touches to their crucial win over the San Miguel Beermen last Wednesday when Duremdes suffered the injury, putting the team’s bid for a first-ever appearance in the All-Filipino Finals in peril.

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola (2-0) seeks to gain outright entry into semis, Red Bull (1-1) and Talk N Text (1-1) bid for at least a playoff while Barangay Ginebra (0-2) fights for survival at the resumption of the quarterfinals at the Ynares Center in Antipolo today.

"Akala ko cramps lang dahil nanigas after a rebound. Pero hindi ko na nailakad. Inambulansya ako papuntang St. Luke’s after the game," said Duremdes.

"Sayang ang ganda pa naman ng inilalaro ko. Kung hindi ako na-injure, may bago na naman akong career high," added the 1998 MVP, who went two points short of matching his 42-point performance against FedEx last Friday. He became the first local player to dish out back-to-back 40-point games since Nelson Asaytono did the feat in Games 4 and 5 of the 1998 All-Filipino Finals between San Miguel and Alaska.

Duremdes laced his game with 10 triples — the third all-time best among locals after the 17 and 15 both of Allan Caidic. – Nelson Beltran