By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
JM Bravo of Lyceum assured the NCAA community that he’s now okay after a scary incident that saw him fall after a head-on collision with an Arellano University player on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The 24-year-old wingman fell unconsciously after a mishap with Renzo Abiera in a loose ball scuffle in the last eight seconds of the game.
The game broadcast captured Bravo on the floor with his eyes rolling almost incessantly with Lyceum teammate John Barba nervously shaking his head to keep his senses.
He was immediately stretchered off the playing court and rushed to Cardinal Santos Medical Center also in San Juan City.
“I am (okay) and cleared,” Bravo posted on social media.
He is reportedly set to be discharged after an initial CT scan showed no damage and neuro tests have turned out negative.
Bravo also called out to people on social media spewing negative comments on how his teammate handled the situation. Many people criticized Barba for shaking Bravo’s head before medics came to the rescue.
“Please STOP spreading bad vibes, bad and nonsense comments please! John Barba and I are very close and I treat him as a brother also, I understand what he did and I appreciate everyone’s concern especially my team (LPU) so please stop making bad comments,” Bravo wrote.
Moments after the game, Barba explained he only did it out of instinct, saying he panicked at the sight of his teammate convulsing on the floor.
“S’yempre kanina talaga, makita mo yung kapatid mo na ganon, talagang magpa-panic ka, eh. Tsaka first time ko siyang makitang ganon, tumitirik yung mata,” he said.
“Ako, nag-panic ako, talagang ginawa ko lahat para magising siya or marinig niya ko. Pero ang daming nagsasabi, alam ko naman na mali yung ginawa ko kanina. Pero pag nandun na tayo sa sitwasyon na yon, hindi mo na maiisip yon, eh. Kasi gusto mo lang tulungan yung brother mo and concerned ka,” he added.
Lyceum eventually lost the game, 91-86, to slip to an even 6-6 record.