Days before the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament opens, De La Salle University lost a key rotation player due to an injury.
Do-it-all guard Joshua David suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that will force him out for UAAP seasons 84 and 85.
Green Archers head coach Derrick Pumaren bared the development to Tiebreaker Times.
“Yes, he tore his ACL,” lamented Pumaren. “It happened during our tune-up game against Adamson.”
David has been with La Salle since 2019 but opted to sit out Season 82.
The 22-year-old native of Angeles City, Pampanga made his debut during the 2020 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup. He dropped five points, eight assists, six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks against Letran.
“It’s really a big loss for me especially sa rotation ko because he is really a big part of the team. He really prepared for this. I was expecting a big season from him,” continued Pumaren about the 6-foot guard.
Also not 100-percent heading into La Salle’s game against University of the East on Saturday is UAAP Season 82 Rookie of the Year Mark Nonoy.
Nonoy transferred from University of Santo Tomas to La Salle two years ago. He has been dealing with a hamstring injury, forcing him to sit out the majority of the Green Archers’ tune-up games.
“He is still not 100 percent but he’ll be ready for the season,” shared Pumaren.
With these injuries, the Green Archers will mostly rely on the backcourt of Evan Nelle and Deschon Winston early in the tournament.
Leading the charge for La Salle will be Justine Baltazar, while Kurt Lojera will be serving as team captain.
“I think we have been waiting for it but still medyo kulang pa rin sa oras,” said Pumaren about the season. “I’m pretty sure that the other schools are also having this problem. We are cramming right now. This caused the injuries because when we increased the intensity, players get hurt. It’s not a reason or an excuse to not compete this UAAP.
“Hopefully, we can make it to the Final Four and, ultimately, win the championship.”
