Bolts await updates on Mitchell's broken nose

MANILA, Philippines — Meralco is holding its collective breath as the team awaits the injury status of import Akil Mitchell.The 32-year-old Panamanian-American ended up with a bloodied nose just 11 seconds into the game after an accidental hit in the face by Rain or Shine big man Keith Datu in their PBA Commissioner's Cup collision on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.Bolts coach Luigi Trillo is bracing for the worst, given the nature of the import's injury, with Mitchell potentially having a broken nose."I think Akil broke his nose. We will have him checked," Trillo said during the post-game presser, with the do-it-all Meralco reinforcement brought to the Cardinal Santos Medical Hospital in San Juan for treatment.If there's anything positive, Trillo said the locals were able to step up, motivated enough to fight through adversity, made worse by the injury bug that hit the team even before the conference started."Funny that there was no call made (on the accidental hit on Mitchell) but that kind of motivated the boys and that kind of kept us sharp," explained the two-time PBA champion coach. "I'm really proud of the guys, most especially Norbert Torres, whom we traded for from Rain or Shine, and even Jansen (Rios) played well, and Raymund played well," he added.Meralco entered the game without Chris Banchero, rookie CJ Cansino, Brandon Bates, Allein Maliksi and Jolo Go who are all out due to injuries.Should Mitchell require surgery on his nose, Trillo said they are open to other options, either bring in DJ Kennedy as the team's import or possibly let Mitchell play through a mask.The 35-year-old Kennedy currently serves as Meralco's second import in the East Asia Super League season 2 home-and-away tournament.The former college teammate of Barangay Ginebra resident import Justin Brownlee at St. John's, averages 20.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals for Meralco, which carries a 2-1 record in the ongoing EASL season."DJ is a nice guy to have also," said Trillo. "He's played overseas, he knows the game, and he's a different dimension, but Akil will play with one leg, because others play through with a mask."Meralco will take a few days break before returning to action on Friday against winless Terrafirma at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.