NCAA: ‘Fighter’ Shawn Umali plays through injury to lift Lyceum

Lyceum big man Shawn Umali celebrates with his teammates following a win over CSB.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Lyceum coach Gilbert Malabanan was pleased with the way Shawn Umali showed up in the Pirates’ opening victory over College of St. Benilde in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament.

Umali played through an ankle injury and came up big with 14 points and six rebounds. He even hit a pair of pressure-packed free throws to cap his performance.

“That’s new for us. ‘Di naman nakaka-shoot ng foul shot ‘yon eh (He can’t even make his free throws)” said Malabanan in jest following his squad’s 85-81 win.

“But really, Shawn Umali’s a fighter. Even though he got injured twice, I asked him if he can play or not because I don’t want to gamble on the kid’s health.”

Lyceum’s Shawn Umali.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Malabanan said Umali hurt his ankle twice during the physical encounter against the Blazers, whom the Pirates beat for the first time since Malabanan took over as coach in Season 97.

A limping Umali played through pain in the fourth quarter to boost Lyceum’s victory.

“He told me, ‘no coach, I can play,’ and for me, I always tell my players that I trust them with all my heart. If you can play, then play. If you can’t, then you can’t.”

“He told me he can, so I let him play and the good thing is it had a great outcome.”

JM Bravo and Enoch Valdez, also shone for Lyceum with 18 and 16 points, respectively.

The Pirates, who made the Final Four last season, go for a 2-0 start against defending champion Letran on Wednesday.