University of Perpetual Help System DALTA guard Shawn Orgo underwent surgery for his left shoulder injury on Saturday as the ALTAs hung tough in their Final Four push in the NCAA Season 100.
On Saturday, Perpetual, sans the 5-foot-9 Orgo, bounced back from two straight losses after repelling Lyceum University of the Philippines, 89-83, in their second-round encounter.
While Perpetual needed an extra quarter to seal the victory, Orgo was in the hospital undergoing a procedure to remedy the injury he sustained from the match against San Beda University.
“We would like to dedicate this victory to Shawn Orgo who had surgery this morning for his shoulder. We wish him well,” said Perpetual head coach Olsen Racela.
Racela also expressed brief relief seeing the Altas being all hands on deck to fill the void of their fallen guard’s absence.
As the Final Four rolls around with only four games left in Perpetual's elimination round campaign, all the first year NCAA coach can hope is for sustained effort to carry them through.
“Hindi ko sila masisi sa binibigay nilang effort sa akin kasi every game palagi kaming nandun. It was a character-building win for us. We hope we can follow up on this.
“After ng mga talo namin, I make sure na mataas pa rin ‘yung morale nila. Walang mangyayari sa amin sa loob ng court. Kahit mag-prepare kami kung mababa ‘yung morale nila [it wouldn't help].
“This is part of basketball going through losses. Credit to them sa practice kasi hard sila palagi kasi gusto nila matuto. This game should help us moving forward. Nakita namin ‘yung experience ng team,” Racela said.
The Altas are facing top seed De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde on Wednesday as part of their four-game scheme in the hopes of joining the semifinal action.
"Isa-isa tingnan natin. Next game namin ay Benilde. Mahirap ‘yung tatahakin namin pero mas pinahirapan pa. But we should continue to play hard and smart," he said.
“We just have to find a way, to dig deep, to never give up. Finally ‘yung fourth quarter [we didn’t completely let go of]."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
