Injured DLSU center out for rest of season

La Salle’s back-to-back title bid in the UAAP suffered a big blow after its Serbian center Marko Batricevic re-injured his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in the first quarter of its 62-68 loss to University of the East last Saturday.

“I think he (Batricevic) is done for the season because of ACL injury,” La Salle board representative Chuck Buenaventura told The STAR yesterday.

The 6-6 Batricevic played only a total of five games – all coming this year – in his three seasons with the Archers.

In his first season in 2006, Batricevic didn’t get to play since La Salle was then under suspension and sustained an injury in a pre-season tournament last year, forcing him to sit out the rest of the season.

Simon Atkins, meanwhile, was spared severe injury after a scary fall when he banged his head on the floor after colliding with UE’s Rudy Lingganay.

Atkins has a muscle spasm related to mild whiplash injury, cervical spine and was advised to rest and continue physical therapy for a week.

James Mangahas and Rico Maeirhofer were also reported to be doing fine after sustaining ankle injuries also last Saturday.

The Archers ended the first round tied with the Far Eastern U Tams on 5-2 (win-loss) slates.

“We will play UE on Thursday with two less players and two not in 100-percent shape,” said Buenaventura.

“Simon Atkins likely to leave hospital tomorrow (today),” said Bro. Bernie Oca, La Salle’s other board member.

“He would be activated from injury list by next week, he may miss two games,” Buenaventura said.   – Joey Villar