By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings star forward Jeremiah Gray is likely out for the entire 2023-2024 PBA season after sustaining multiple tears in his knee during the just-concluded PBA on Tour.

According to a report by Tiebreaker Times, the sophomore forward had a “triple tear,” resulting from injuries to his anterior cruciate (ACL), medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments.

Gray, the second overall pick during the 2022 PBA Rookie Draft, is scheduled to undergo surgery later this month and will have an estimate of 10 to 12 months of recovery time period.

The 26-year-old forward sustained the knee injury during the Gin Kings’ game against NLEX Road Warriors last July 30, when Gray attempted a fastbreak layup with 22 seconds left in the third quarter.

As he approached the basket, Gray was unable to take off despite minimal contact with Road Warriors forward Anthony Semerad and grimaced in pain until he was stretched out of the venue.

It was an unfortunate incident for Gray’s career as he was showing signs of a full career revival after sustaining an ACL injury while playing for TNT Tropang Giga in the PBA 3×3 tournament in 2021.

The 6-foot-5 winger was averaging 14.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and a steal per outing during the 11 games that he played in the PBA’s pre-season tournament.

Gin Kings assistant coach Richard del Rosario, who served as Ginebra’s mentor in the PBA on Tour, expressed his disappointment at the latest setback in Gray’s career, but is hoping that the forward can come back sooner.

“We’re really praying that he can recover soon,” Del Rosario said. 

“He has a bright career ahead of him. We just hope for the best. With all the medical technology, hopefully, we can have him back on the court soon enough,” he added./ASC, WDJ