By NIKOLE JAVIER
The camp of Rhenz Abando is considering filing a civil lawsuit against former NBA player Chinanu Onuaku following the injuries sustained by the Filipino import during Anyang KGC and Goyang Sono’s match last Dec. 28.
After going through further medical examination, the 25-year-old Gilas Pilipinas guard was found to have suffered fractures to his third and fourth lumbar vertebrae, sprained wrist ligaments and a concussion.
The Korean Basketball League (KBL), led by its financial committee, fined Onuaku three million won (roughly P128,000) for causing Abando’s injuries during the game.
It happened during a rebound play that saw Onuaku pushing Abando who was trying to grab the ball.
To everybody’s horror, Abando lost his balance and landed on his back while grimacing in pain.
Per a report by South Korean-based news site Naver Sports, the fine was a “soft punishment” that it angered the locals and some basketball fans – some of them protested in front of the KBL Center in Sinsa-dong, Seoul on the second and third day of the new year.
Abando will be out of Anyang’s rotation at least four weeks to recover but the expected timetable could be even longer if surgery is needed.
Abando’s side has reportedly started “the preliminary preparation stage for the civil lawsuit, separate from the KBL’s post-mortem response.”
Abando has two agents from the Philippines and another in South Korea, both of whom were responsible for his signing in the league.
Both agents have also been trying to get in close contact with Onuaku’s side as they seek to hold him accountable for what happened to Abando.
Onuaku’s non-apology since the incident struck Abando’s camp to take legal action as the injuries could pose greater impact on the latter.
