MANILA, Philippines – Arellano slayed another giant in the continuation of the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament, pulling off a 91-86 stunner of contender Lyceum at the FilOil EcoOil Centre on Saturday, October 19.
The Chiefs’ celebration after rising to a 4-8 record was, however, muted at best, as they witnessed a horrifying scene unfold in the game’s waning seconds with Arellano’s Renzo Abiera accidentally butting heads with Lyceum Pirates star JM Bravo in a late-game ball scramble, causing the latter to get knocked out cold.
Fellow Lyceum star John Barba frantically shook his teammate’s head in a panicked attempt at revival before medics stretchered Bravo out of the arena, where he reportedly regained consciousness.
GMA reports, however, added that Lyceum’s 24-year-old standout, who was initially ruled out for the rest of Season 100 due to a spine injury, was still having trouble breathing.
Bravo finished 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists in 26 minutes of action. Barba topscored in the doubly heartbreaking loss with 18 points, 4 steals, 3 dimes, and 2 boards, as Lyceum evened out with a 6-6 slate in a fourth-place tie with neighboring school Letran.
Lorenz Capulong, meanwhile, carried Arellano in the win with a massive 30-point, 16-rebound double-dobule, 8 boards coming from the offensive end alone. Maverick Vinoya scattered 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists with a stellar +21 in just a five-point win.
The Scores
Arellano 91 – Capulong 30, Vinoya 14, Valencia 9, Miller 9, Borromeo 7, Abiera 4, Camay 4, Geronimo 4, Hernal 3, Flores 3, Libang 2, Ongotan 2, Rosalin 0.
Lyceum 86 – Barba 18, Bravo 17, Villegas 15, Montaño 10, Daileg 9, Peñafiel 5, Aviles 4, Versoza 4, Panelo 4, Pallingayan 0, Moralejo 0, Cunanan 0.
Quarters: 26-17, 54-46, 72-68, 91-86.
– Rappler.com