Lyceum of the Philippines University suffered a double whammy on Saturday after losing both its game to Arellano University and JM Bravo to an injury.
Bravo fell unconsciously to the floor with only eight seconds to go in the fourth quarter after inadvertently hitting his face onto Arellano's Renzo Abiera. Barba was the first to attend to Bravo's aid as he was seen trying to wake his teammate up by shaking his head.
He later on admitted his action was wrong, but stressed that was the first thing that came into his mind after seeing his teammate on the floor.
"Siyempre kanina as a brother and makita mo ‘yung kapatid mong ganu’n, talagang magpa-panic ka eh tsaka first time ko siyang makitang gano’n, tumitirik ‘yung mata... puting-puti na talaga," Barba shared.
"So ako, nag-panic ako, talagang ginawa ko ‘yung lahat para magising siya or marinig niya ako. Alam ko naman na mali ‘yung ginawa ko kanina pero ‘pag nando’n na tayo sa sitwasyon na ‘yun, hindi mo na maiisip ‘yun eh kasi gusto mo lang tulungan ‘yung brother mo."
Bravo was immediately rushed to the hospital at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center and as of now, the fourth-year wingman is already conscious.
The Pirates, meanwhile, are preparing for the worst, since Bravo was already ruled out of the season before due to a spine injury but was fielded back at the start of the second round to help LPU revive its Final Four hopes.
LPU is also expected to have Mclaude Guadaña back in their next game.
"Sobrang hirap kami nu’ng first round nu’ng wala pa si Bravo tsaka si Verzosa then nu’ng pagbalik nila parang nabuhay na naman ‘yung LPU. Bumalik kami sa winning column kasi sila ‘yung mga missing pieces ng LPU," Barba added.
"So kung mawawala siya ulit, okay lang naman kasi more than basketball, mas importante ‘yung kalusugan ng bawat player. Ready to adjust naman kami sa mga mangyayari and the good thing naman is babalik na si Mclaude."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
