Arellano University may have won its first NCAA Season 97 match against the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Stags on Sunday but the Chiefs couldn't have a proper celebration after big man Justin Arana went down in the come-from-behind victory.
Arana was visibly in pain after fighting for a rebound against Stags' slotman Jessie Sumoda in the 1:49 mark of the fourth quarter, just right after team captain Gelo Sablan drilled a triple as Arellano regained the lead, 62-60.
The 6-foot-7 bruiser was quickly attended by the medics personnel and needed to be stretchered off the court.
Without him manning the paint, the Chiefs managed to sneak away with the win against the Stags, 65-63, with Arana finishing with a team-high of 16 points to go along with 15 rebounds, four blocks, and a steal.
Head coach Cholo Martin said they can't do anything at this point but hope it's nothing serious.
"Medyo pagod na [siya] eh. Bumigay na yung calf niya [kasi] whole game siya naglalaro eh," Martin said on the heels of the tough victory at the La Salle Green Hills.
"So sana wag naman malala, kailangan namin siya eh. Mamaya [malalaman namin yung findings], may PT kami eh. May umattend na sa kanya."
Martin also credited the other wards who stepped up to steer Arellano to a rousing opening to its Season 97 campaign after closing out Season 95 with a 4-14 card.
"Nagusap-usap sila, so depensa talaga 'yung kailangan namin kasi lamang kami ng two points nung na-injure siya (Justin). So kailangan talaga namin ay dumepensa so luckily nakakuha kami ng bola."
Arellano will definitely need Arana back as their next assignment will be the defending champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Wednesday, March 30, at 12 p.m.
—JMB, GMA News
