The Blackwater Bossing have hit their first speed bump of the PBA Governors' Cup. During their recent 116-114 thriller of a loss against the Meralco Bolts, a glaring absence was felt in the paint: 28-year-old big man Christian David was nowhere to be found.
It was soon disclosed by head coach Pat Aquino that the former Butler University standout is set to undergo a knee arthroscopy—essentially a procedure to clean up the knee. The recovery timeline? Roughly six weeks, effectively ruling him out for the entire first round of the eliminations.
While Aquino stressed that they want to get it done early so David can return to the court, the timing of the procedure has raised plenty of eyebrows across the league.
The "Surgery Now" Implication
David suited up for Blackwater's first two games—both impressive wins over Rain or Shine and Magnolia—playing on strictly managed minutes. In the PBA, it is highly common for a player to delay minor "clean-up" procedures until the offseason, choosing instead to play through the discomfort to help their team maintain a hot streak.
Electing to shut things down and get the surgery now, right at the onset of the tournament when the team is 2-1, is a fascinating business decision. Often, when a player and management mutually agree to sideline a key piece for an extended rehab stint rather than pushing through the conference, it serves as an indicator that a fundamental shift is already being discussed. Simply put: you don't risk further injury to a player if a trade is being ironed out behind the scenes.
The NLEX Connection
The whispers of a Christian David trade are not new; his name was heavily featured in the rumor mill throughout the offseason. Coach Aquino even had to publicly reassure David that he remains an integral part of the Blackwater family.
But where there is smoke, there is usually fire. According to a prominent fan on Twitter—who has a proven track record of hyping up accurate trade buzz before the news breaks—the NLEX Road Warriors are the target destination. NLEX has a clear need for frontcourt versatility, and David’s 6-foot-6 frame and two-way potential make him an ideal fit for a team looking to bolster its playoff rotation. Sitting out now ensures that if a trade is executed, David arrives at his new destination fully healthy for the latter half of the tournament.
Related Article: PBA Trade Rumors: Snow Badua hinted of a TRADE!
Comments
Post a Comment