University of the Philippines held a collective breath on Wednesday after Zavier Lucero had to be carried off the SMART Araneta Coliseum after Game Two of the UAAP Men’s Basketball Finals.
Just two minutes into the final frame – at 8:31 to be exact – Lucero went for a drive. As Chris Koon tried to front him, the 6-foot-7 winger’s left knee buckled.
Making matters worse, there was no contact and Lucero had to be carried off the court.
Lucero, who tallied six points and 11 rebounds prior to the incident, did not return to the game.
Even after the game, Lucero could not walk to the court.
And it’s a bad sign, according to Fighting Maroons assistant coach Christian Luanzon.
“I’m sure you guys saw that he had a hard time walking,” he said after UP’s 55-65 Game Two loss to Ateneo that forced a decider set for Monday. “Two from our team had to carry him out from the court to the dugout. We are still hoping for the best.
“I think what is crucial is ma-assess ASAP.”
According to a report by UP courtside reporter Carla Elizalga, Lucero told her that he heard “a crack” as he fell.
But there is still no assessment of Lucero’s status, as he will still have an MRI on Thursday.
“Right now wala pa. Kasi we are scheduling yung assessment sa kanya. Yung medical team kasi ipapa-check pa e. Even us, we are waiting on it,” said Luanzon.
Even Tab Baldwin hopes that Lucero can get to play on Monday as it will be his final game in the amateur ranks.
“I hope Zav Lucero is okay. Nobody wants to see that. We’ll say a prayer for him and hope it’s not serious.”
