Lyceum’s JM Bravo during a game against Arellano in NCAA Season 100.–NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Lyceum will have to make do without its key cog JM Bravo for a pair of crucial games against top team College of St. Benilde and fellow Final Four hopeful Perpetual Help in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.
In a scary scene last Saturday, Bravo was stretchered off the court after laying unconscious following a head-to-head collision with an Arellano player in the fourth quarter of the Pirates’ loss to the Chiefs. He snapped out of consciousness at the Filoil EcoOil Arena dugout and was brought to nearby Cardinal Santos Medical Center where he underwent a CT scan.
Hours after the incident, Bravo posted on social media that he was “OK and cleared.” He was then discharged from the hospital on Monday.
READ: NCAA: Lyceum’s JM Bravo ‘OK and cleared,’ defends John Barba
But as a precautionary measure, Bravo has been advised to rest for one week.
“No activity for me for one week,” said Bravo, who had 17 points and eight rebounds against Arellano before the head injury, in a message to Inquirer Sports on Tuesday.
“My doctor said I still need to rest because it might be dangerous for me to play right away.”
Bravo’s absence is a big blow to Lyceum (6-6), which is currently tied with Emilio Aguinaldo College for fifth place in a tight Final Four race.
READ: NCAA: Lyceum’s JM Bravo now conscious after head collision
Letran claimed solo fourth place on Tuesday after squeaking past San Sebastian, 101-98, in double overtime.
Lyceum takes on surging Benilde on Wednesday before clashing with Perpetual Help on Saturday. The Altas are just a game behind the Pirates and Generals in the standings.
It’s been a rollercoaster season for Bravo, who previously missed seven games in the first round of the tournament due to a spinal injury.