Images of a similar accident flashed before Alaska coach at seeing his player immobile after getting kneed in the neck.
Alaska forward Jaypee Mendoza avoided a scenario similar to that of former PBA player Eugene Tejada nearly 11 years ago in the Aces’ 94-89 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Mendoza had to be carried back to the locker room when he was inadvertently kneed on the left side of his neck by Rain or Shine’s Jericho Cruz after collaring the rebound late in Alaska’s come-from-behind victory.
Aces team doctor Facundo Sun said Mendoza should be okay to suit up for the team’s match against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in this weekend’s PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
“What I did first was neurological exam, on his feet, hands, vision and eye movement… very dramatic ang bagsak e. Hindi siya maka-lakad e. When I saw him moving, so that was a good sign,” said Sun. “We’ll just have to do some additional tests sa clinic ng team.”
The incident brought back memories of Tejada being left paralyzed from the waist down after Mick Pennisi fell on him during a match between Purefoods and Red Bull in 2006 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City, leaving Alaska coach Alex Compton shaken.
“The image of Eugene suddenly flashed back on me. I just got a little bit scared,” said Compton, who added that he was at a loss for the final 30 seconds of the game after the incident had happened.
Mendoza, who finished with eight points and five rebounds, was grateful to have escaped the same fate.
“Yun ’yung na-realize ko kanina (Tejada), hindi ko maramdaman ’yung leeg ko,” Mendoza said, adding that Cruz apologized to him as he was about to carried out off the court.
“Kinabahan siyempre. Pero nung nandito na ako sa dugout, medyo nag-loosen na ’yung muscle sa neck. Ok na ako, pero may pain pa din. Thankful lang ako kay God na safe naman,” said Mendoza.