Congolese center Josee Kaputu will be sidelined for the remainder of the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee.
The development was confirmed by first-year Lady Tamaraws head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy after FEU’s 62-56 win over University of the East.
Kaputu’s injury occurred last Saturday during a rebound battle when NU center Jainaba Konateh fell onto her knee at the 4:35 mark of the third quarter.
This setback follows Kaputu’s one-game suspension during the Lady Tamaraws’ opening-day loss against Adamson.
The 23-year-old center was a standout last season with a Mythical Five selection and a runner-up finish in the MVP race. She averaged 21.93 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 1.57 steals per game.
Her injury is a significant blow to her sophomore campaign and the Tamaraws.
“Josee will have her surgery this year. Full tear ACL si Josee. Our coaching staff and the FEU management decided to rest na lang siya this season and be ready for next season,” said Palmera-Dy.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Despite losing the “best FSA player” in the UAAP, Palmera-Dy remains optimistic about the Lady Tamaraws’ prospects.
With Kaputu joining the team only three weeks before Season 87 began, Palmera-Dy had already prepared her squad by participating in three pre-season tournaments.
This experience has helped the Morayta-based squad adapt to playing without their standout center.
The Lady Tamaraws showed resilience by overcoming a late fourth-quarter run from the University of the East, securing Palmera-Dy’s first win as a UAAP head coach for her alma mater.
“Sabi ko naman sa mga players, sumali tayo ng three tournaments this summer league without Josee [kaya] wala na masyado difference, wala nang masyadong adjustments,” Palmera-Dy explained. “But of course, Josee is Josee, the best FSA player out there.”
Looking ahead, Palmera-Dy expects the entire FEU squad to rise to the challenge in Kaputu’s absence. She will rely heavily on Max Dela Torre, Joann Nagma, Shane Salvani, and MJ Manguiat to help break the Lady Tamaraws’ two-year playoff drought.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, it’s their time to step up: Nagma, Maxene, Shane, MJ, the captain ball. I expect na magstep-up sila,” Palmera-Dy said.
“Itong remaining games namin, winnable siya. We just have to stick to our system. We have to stick to our game plan para at least hopefully, makuha namin itong momentum to our next few games.”
