Tejada goes under the knife

Purefoods cager Eugene Tejada will be operated on at 10 a.m. today although doctors still have to decide whether to fuse his dislocated spine or implant a titanium plate.

Sources said the surgery would take four hours.

Tejada, who crashed to the floor in a rebound play in a PBA game against Red Bull at the Ynares Center in Antipolo last Sunday and whose body recoiled when Red Bull center Mick Pennisi fell on him, has regained his sensation in the legs although he still cannot move his lower extremities.

However, doctors, headed by spine specialist Dr. David Cabatan, are optimistic everything would be okay for the 25-year-old Tejada, who’s now undergoing physical therapy.

A long rehabilitation process awaits Tejada after the surgery. He remains on liquid diet and has metal traction clamp on head and neck brace.

The hospital chaplain prayed over him yesterday afternoon.

Purefoods assistant coach Koy Banal and Rene Pardo, Purefoods’ representative to the PBA Board of Governors, dropped by to wish Tejada well.

Tejada’s father Danny, a former San Beda player who also played with San Miguel Beer in the MICAA, and sister arrived yesterday from San Francisco while the cager’s mother and brother are set to plane in today.

After that nasty fall, Tejada lay motionless on the court for about 40 minutes then was rushed to the Makati Medical Center in a Lifeline Arrows ambulance.

Purefoods team manager Alvin Patrimonio said the spinal cord damage has resulted in the absence of movement and sensation in areas of the body below the level of the injury. — Dante Navarro