Ateneo lifer Sandy Arepacochaga learned a new thing on Sunday afternoon.
The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles figured in a tight first half against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, Sunday afternoon. Every possession mattered.
With 1:29 left in the half, utility guard Adrian Wong dove for a loose ball. But as he did, the 6-foot-3 swingman’s mouth hit the parquet floor of the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
It resulted in a lost tooth for the third-year Blue Eagle, and he did not return to the game.
Though Ateneo’s medical team immediately headed to Wong as he was bleeding profusely, Arespacochaga went on a search. He was looking for that missing tooth.
Thankfully, Arespacochaga was able to find it.
“Nakita naman yung ipin!
“I don’t know the specifics but our medical team is already… Actually when that happened our medical team was on it already,” quipped the Blue Eagles assistant coach, who was trying to keep a straight face. “Actually malaking bagay na nakuha yung ipin.”
Thirdy Ravena was impressed with what Arespacochaga did, as he had taken one for the team.
“Kinamay pa ni coach Sandy yun ah. Walang gloves.”
Having experienced this, the former Blue Eagle player now knows that a pair of gloves will be handy.
“Mali. Dapat may gloves next time na mangyari yun,” said Arespacochaga as he knocked on the press room’s table.