PBA: Even on crutches, ‘Sol-Train’ obliges to Ginebra fans

Sol Mercado of Barangay Ginebra was absent for game 5 of the 2017 PBA Governors Cup Finals after falling to an injury in game 4. The “Sol-Train” is currently dealing with a high-grade ankle sprain but was on hand to support the Gin Kings at the Philippine Arena.

Mercado was relegated to a spectator as he watched his teammates step up on his behalf. Ginebra won game 5, 85-74, to take the driver’s seat in the finals.

Courtesy of a video from Manila Bulletin Sports Online, Mercado followed his teammates on crutches entering the Philippine Arena. Despite visibly having a hard time on crutches, the “Sol-Train” still took it upon himself to oblige PBA fans requesting an autograph. Check out the video at the 0:50 mark as Mercado was making his way to the Ginebra bench.

According to Waylon Galvez of Manila Bulletin Sports Online, Mercado is still hoping to rejoin his teammates for game 6. The Gin Kings player admitted that his ankle was still swollen though there was no fracture in his ankle.

A lot will depend on the Magnetic Resonance Imaging he is set to undergo, though he could very well be forced to sit out the series. Just the same, Mercado is hoping for the best to help Ginebra in hopefully repeating as PBA Governors’ Cup champions.

“I’m hoping, hoping that I can still play. It depends on how I’ll respond to medication, and therapy as well,” said Mercado.