JRU cager dies after collapsing on court
A HIGH school basketball player from Jose Rizal University died Sunday night, two days after collapsing during the Light Bombers’ match in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup in San Juan.
Carl Jimwell “CJ” Servillon died of still undetermined causes after suddenly losing consciousness during a timeout in the Light Bombers’ game versus De La Salle Zobel on Friday morning. He was 17.
JRU juniors coach Nat Gregorio said Servillon had always appeared healthy and showed no signs that he felt unwell that day.
“He was even very focused before the game, during the warm-up,” said Gregorio.
When Servillon collapsed at the sidelines, the game was immediately stopped as medics tried to revive him. He was immediately taken to Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital in San Juan.
Servillon was confined at the intensive care unit, where he lapsed into coma.
“He was a very good player, coachable and a very good kid,” said Gregorio.
“Jose Rizal University and the whole Rizalian community send their deepest condolences to the family of [Servillon],” the school said in a statement yesterday. “We urge everyone to extend their prayers to CJ’s family during these trying times.”
Gregorio said the school has yet to decide if the Light Bombers will continue their campaign in the pre-season tournament, which is part of the team’s buildup for the NCAA juniors basketball wars.
“It’s traumatic for the team,” said Gregorio. “Whatever decision, it’s what’s best for the team.”
Heart attack
In 2002, Miguel Gozum of the La Salle men’s basketball team died of a heart attack while playing an exhibition game at the school gym.
Gozum, who won three UAAP championships with the Green Archers, dunked the ball early in the game before collapsing at the other end of the court.
On-site medics tried to revive Gozum before he was rushed to the Manila Sanitarium, where he was declared dead on arrival.
The death also came as a shock as Gozum passed a physical exam just three weeks earlier.
In November 2014, Philippine basketball legend Samboy Lim suddenly collapsed during an exhibition game of PBA Legends at Ynares Sports Center in Pasig.
A member of the PBA’s 25 All-Time Greatest Players, the 53-year-old Lim came out of his comatose state last January.
Lim is continuing his recovery at home. He is undergoing therapy to regain his speech and movement.
