The Petron curse strikes again

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When I wrote an article a couple of weeks back, it was just from mere observation.

Now I fear for every player from every lopsided trade the Petron Blaze Boosters would unleash.

I don’t know if this was reported or if the SMC had any plans to break this but apparently, new acquisition Marcio Lassiter will be out from three to six weeks because of a fractured hand he sustained during Petron’s tune up game against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. The California Swagger missed Petron’s game against Lassiter’s former team Powerade Tigers. Petron won, 97 to 83 with Powerade seriously missing the services of Lassiter and getting almost nothing from Rabeh Al-Hussaini.

The other consolation for the Boosters is the return of Jay Washington. This is Washington’s first game back from an injury that sidelined him since the start of last year’s Governor’s Cup.

So what now?

The Lassiter injury brought a lot of possibilities in the individual races.

JV CASIO
After Chris Lutz’ injury and the inability of Rain or Shine to make a respectable conference finish that dashed all hopes of a Paul Lee Rookie of the Year bid, Lassiter is far ahead in the rankings and is certain of the Top Rookie plum. With the injury though, it leaves JV Casio an opening to claim the plum. Six weeks of Lassiter absence and a ton of fantastic ballgames should do the trick for the 2011 PBA Draft top pick. However, Powerade needs to make the semis to further establish this fact. Also that 5-point game should be his only single digit game in this conference.

GARY DAVID
Sure, he’s Lassiter’s former teammate but he’s also Lassiter’s biggest rival in terms of individual outputs. Taking Powerade to the finals of the Philippine Cup has its perks but there is no question that it would be hard for Gary David to make another title run with Lassiter in Powerade. This is why Lassiter needs to come back early and his former team to falter big time in the standings to solidify his position.

However, if and when Lassiter returns earlier than expected, one man is doing damage for Petron… as well as his chances.

ARWIND SANTOS
Every time Lassiter misses a game, Santos should have a double-double output. With a strong import in Eddie Basden, perhaps we can see The Spiderman suit up in the playoffs and beyond. By the time we reach the semis, Lassiter should have missed a lot of the Boosters’ games and it leaves Santos with more statistical points. The Governor’s Cup has been extremely friendly for Arwind Santos. Last year, it was in this conference that Santos went berserk and annexed a Best Player of the Conference Award for himself. Even if Alex Cabagnot does well in the conference (Cabagnot should battle Casio for the Mythical Second Team), he’ll still be below Arwind and now, it seems as if the same can be said on Lassiter.

But should we narrow it down with these personalities?

JAYSON CASTRO AND JAMES YAP
With Mark Caguioa in sickbay, there are two players that can “curse” Arwind Santos’ MVP hopes. The Talk N Text Tropang Texters will never have their grand slam this year but Jayson Castro still has a shot to win the MVP trophy with two straight finals appearances and a lot of MVP-like moves for the MVP-owned squad. Meanwhile, James Yap just won the Commissioner’s Cup Best Player Award and that should help him garner a crack for the plum.

I could go on and on about the individual accolades but I’m reverting back to the topic at hand.

I don’t know what sick and twisted voodoo was cast on Petron but how unlucky are they! I mean Lutz and Dondon Hontiveros are still doubtful starters and now they have Lassiter languishing at the sidelines.

I know saying Petron has a curse is kind of stupid and is of mere coincidence but you have to wonder what the hell they did to piss fate off.

Game over.