FEU’s CJ Cabatac after suffering a leg injury. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines— Far Eastern University player CJ Cabatac suffered a gruesome leg injury in the game between the Tamaraws and National University in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament at San Juan Arena on Saturday.
In the first set with NU leading 17-13, Cabatac rose up for a block on Bulldogs’ Michaelo Buddin after a free ball. On his way down, Cabatac accidentally stepped on Buddin’s foot which caused his right leg bone to break. A part of his bone could be seen protruding from his skin.
The incident seemingly deflated the Tamaraws as they were not able to recover momentum en route to the 25-20, 25-20, 25-16 loss to unbeaten NU.
Cabatac was quickly stretchered out of the game with a towel wrapped around his leg. He was immediately rushed to the Cardinal Santos Health Center in Greenhills.
FEU is still awaiting the results on the extent of the injury.
NU coach Dante Alinsunurin expressed his concern for the young player, but he knows Cabatac will be able to bounce back from the freak injury.
“I hope he gets well soon. For sure, he will recover. What’s important is that he gets back. Whatever the results of his [medical exams] be, he should keep the faith,” Alinsunurin said. “That injury does not mean the end for him. For sure, he will be back.”
Alinsunurin had to remind Buddin to get his head back in the game after witnessing a traumatizing freak injury in front of him.
“I’ve seen a lot of this already. Unfortunately, it really happens inside the game but I told [them] we had to re-focus on what we want to happen. What happened was an accident. I told my players not to blame anyone. I told them not to think of who bumped who and just focus on the game,” Alinsunurin said in Filipino.