San Beda’s Donald Tankoua writhes in pain after a botched landing. Photo by Randolph Leongson
This year’s NCAA men’s basketball tournament just became more wide open.
San Beda’s title campaign hit a snag after its Cameroonian slotman Donald Tankoua is expected to miss the rest of the 92nd Season of the NCAA after tearing his right ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in the Red Lions’ 90-82 victory over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals on Friday.
San Beda coach Jamike Jarin and team manager Jude Roque confirmed the development Sunday.
“We already knew last night (Friday),” said Jarin.
“Yes, it’s true,” said Roque.
The loss of Tankoua is a huge blow to the Lions with the 6-foot-6 center averaging 16 points, 11 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game before sustaining the season-ending injury.
It also opened up the already hotly-contested title hunt. San Beda is still on top of the standings at 10-1 but only leads second-running Arellano University a full game with third seed Perpetual Help not far behind at 8-3.
Four teams are also neck-and-neck in the race for the fourth spot. Currently, Mapua has the inside track at 6-4 while Jose Rizal University, defending champion Letran and Lyceum owning similar 5-5 slates.
Jarin said it will be up to the whole team to step up and fill that void left by Tankoua.
“We need effort from the whole team to make up for the absence of Donald (Tankoua),” said Jarin.