It was a double celebration for the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates this week.
Besides winning their third straight game – a milestone in the Topex Robinson-era, Pirates big man Joseph Gabayni was also cleared for full contact practices earlier this week.
“He got clearance already, and he practiced with our Team B,” shared Lyceum head coach Topex Robinson after he and his team defeated the San Sebastian Stags Tuesday afternoon. “Ang concern namin is his health. We’d rather have him later, than to have him half-baked.”
“So hopefully, by the second round, he’ll be okay.”
The 22-year-old big man had figured in a motorcycle accident last May that caused him to miss the latter end of Lyceum’s Premier Cup campaign. Moreover, Gabayni has yet to suit-up for the Pirates this season.
Gabayni was the leading scorer and second leading rebounder of the Pirates last season with norms of 11.85 points and 8.65 rebounds. However, the Rizal-native missed five regular season games due to “disciplinary sanctions” imposed by the school.
Making amends, the center welcomed a new role for the Pirates during the summer.
“He actually suggested that he comes off the bench,” Robinson said during the Premiere Cup. “He has embraced this new role for the team.”
The return of Gabayni will help ease the pressure off of Nigerian student-athlete Harry Nzeusseu, who is currently playing 35 minutes a game to help Lyceum to a 3-3 record.
“I guess, ‘yung minutes ni Mike have been really big,” Robinson shared about having a deep frontline rotation.
“So maybe, it’s gonna be a good addition to have Gabayni, to split the minutes between the two.”
The current timetable for Gabayni’s return is during the week of August 16.
