10 stitches to sew up Sean's cut

MANILA, Philippines - It took 10 stitches, eight on the outside and two inside, to close Sean Anthony’s cut over the right eye from a Ranidel de Ocampo elbow but the tough Powerade forward said the wound won’t stop him from going all out against Talk ‘N’ Text in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

Anthony was struck by De Ocampo with about 11 minutes to go in the fourth period of Game 2 last Monday. Blood gushed out from the wound and Anthony was rushed to the dugout for emergency treatment. He ran back to the bench with 3 1/2 minutes left in the contest but coach Bo Perasol opted to sit him the rest of the way. After the game, Anthony was sewn up by plastic surgeon Dr. Lawrence Loh, a UP medicine graduate and student of Powerade PBA governor J. B. Baylon’s father, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Quezon City.

Anthony’s exit came at a crucial stage as the Tigers stormed back from a 12-point deficit at 89-77 to inch with one, 94-93, time down to 2:50. Then, Larry Fonacier hit a layup off a broken play, Jimmy Alapag buried a triple and Ryan Reyes stole off Gary David to score in transition as the Texters broke away, 101-93, with 1:19 to go. The Tropa went on to win, 102-96, and now leads the best-of-seven series, 2-0. Anthony, who netted 23 in Game 1, was held to only two points on 1-of-9 from the field.

“We don’t think of being down 0-2,” said Anthony who turns 26 tomorrow. “We’re just focused on the game ahead. That’s all. Sure, there’s a little more pressure to win Game 3 but we’re used to pressure. In Game 2, our shots just wouldn’t fall in. We had good looks but couldn’t knock them down. We expect to make those shots in Game 3. And our second unit guys will step up for sure. Guys like Josh (Vanlandingham), Rudy (Lingganay) and Romel (Adducul) will come off the bench to give us continuity.”

Anthony said De Ocampo swung his elbow not to create space but to deliver a message. “Ranidel did it on purpose but I don’t think he meant to split my eyelid,” Anthony added. “I know he didn’t mean to hurt me. There was a lot of contact before that elbow and the refs weren’t calling the fouls. Ranidel is a difficult match-up. He has a lot of inside moves, can hit the outside shot and has a nice touch. I’m matched up against big guys like Ranidel and Japeth (Aguilar) in the series but even if I’m out-sized, I hold my ground and use other things to my advantage. But it’s a challenge to battle those guys out there.”

Anthony said he didn’t want to miss a second of the action after he was elbowed. “All I asked for was a band-aid so I could continue playing but I was told I needed stitches, even temporary stitches,” he said. “Later, I got the permanent stitches done.”

Anthony, the second of five children, said he’ll go back to Baclaran and walk on his knees to the altar. He did it for the first time after Powerade disposed of Rain Or Shine in Game 7 of the semifinals. “In Game 6, I stepped on Gabe Norwood’s foot and twisted my ankle,” said Anthony. “I could hardly walk out of the gym. I had acupuncture and did all sorts of treatment. I promised to walk on my knees at the church in Baclaran if I could just play in Game 7 which I did. So after the game, I went to the church and walked on my knees with Boss J. B. I’ll do it again during the finals which I expect to be a long series.”

Anthony’s mother Angie Dee is the older sister of President Noynoy Aquino’s sister Viel’s husband Dodo. He was born in Vancouver and played basketball at McGill University. “I would go to Manila every summer to visit my lolo, lola, aunts, uncles and cousins,” said Anthony who was born a month before his Tita Viel’s mother Cory Aquino took her oath as President. “I remember visiting Lola Cory during her presidency. I attended my Tito Noynoy’s oath-taking as President. My mom, aunts and uncles are in Manila from Vancouver to watch the finals and their support really gives me a lift.”

Anthony played briefly for Smart Gilas and saw action in an exhibition series in Japan in 2009. He was picked sixth overall in the 2010 draft after Noy Baclao, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Rey Guevarra, Elmer Espiritu and Vanlandingham. As a rookie last season, Anthony averaged 7.4 points and 5.5 rebounds in 21 games, including eight starts. This campaign, he’s averaging 9.0 points and 6.4 rebounds in 24 games, including 14 starts. Anthony has scored in double figures in 12 of 24 outings.

“We’ve improved a lot from last year,” said Anthony. “It’s not just the change in personnel. It’s also the chemistry. It’s Wil Antonio stepping in and providing leadership as our captain. Last year, we weren’t as close to each other. Now, we get together a lot. We have team dinners and the chemistry shows on and off the court.”