Serbia's Borisa Simanic out for the rest of FIBA World Cup due to injury

Serbia will be one man down as Borisa Simanic is out for the remainder of the FIBA World Cup after sustaining an injury last Wednesday in their 115-83 thrashing of South Sudan in Group B action at the Araneta Coliseum.

In a statement posted in its Facebook post, the Serbian basketball federation said Simanic received a strong elbow hit in his kidney area late in the game and was immediately brought to a hospital after the match.

Following further assessment, Simanic underwent an operation. The federation added that the 25-year-old forward is now in recovery, but won't be returning anymore to join Serbia in its campaign.

In a separate statement, Red Cross said Simanic had a rare blood type and that the organization helped with his blood transfusion needs upon the request from the doctors.

“As the host country of the FIBA World Cup, we are supportive of all the delegates. Every large gathering, such as the FIBA, should have provisions for emergency medical services like pre-hospital treatment, ambulances and standby blood supply including rare blood, because time is of the essence in a medical emergency,” said Philippine Red Cross Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon.

“An adequate supply of safe, quality blood products and a registry of rare blood type donors are essential for the country to be prepared for medical emergencies,” Dr. Gwen Pang, Secretary General of the Philippine Red Cross, added.

Simanic played in all three games in the opening round, averaging 6.5 points, one rebound, and 0.3 assists, as Serbia swept the first round, defeating China, Puerto Rico, and South Sudan. They, however, fell to Italy on Friday in the second round opener.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News