UAAP break: Lull before storm

MANILA, Philippines — Playing non-stop since September, teams are making the most out of a much-needed break to heal up, charge up and brace for a mad dash to the finish in the UAAP Season 86 basketball elims.

Adamson ace Jerom Lastimosa is among a bevy of players hit by injuries as the race to the Final Four heats up.

“The break will be really welcome for us, not just us but I guess the whole UAAP because players are tired,” said Falcons mentor Nash Racela, noting the rigid schedule for all the teams for more than a month and counting.

“I don’t think it’s just an accident. Marami doon is because napapagod na rin sila so this will be a good break for not just us but the whole UAAP.”

Lastimosa is to undergo surgery for a torn ACL in his left knee. National U’s Jolo Manansala (groin) and Steve Nash Enriquez (jaw), and JD Cagulangan (quad) and CJ Cansino (flu) of the University of the Philippines are nursing injuries of their own. Enriquez is expected to be out for a month while Cagulangan and Cansino are anticipated to return in the resumption of play this Saturday after a week-long break.

“So we should all pray that, I know God probably doesn’t care too much about basketball, and I would not blame Him for that, but you know, if a quantum of prayers help our players stay healthy, that’s a good thing,” said Ateneo’s Tab Baldwin after a narrow 65-60 loss to the crippled UP side.

The Lastimosa-less Adamson, which is tied with Ateneo at 4-5 for the No. 4 spot, resumes its drive against listless Santo Tomas (1-8) while the Blue Eagles take on the second-running Bulldogs (7-2) on Saturday.

On Sunday, leader UP (8-1) collides with streaking La Salle (6-3) while Far Eastern U (3-6) and University of the East (3-6) battle in a key match-up to stay in Final Four contention.