IT was pure instinct on the part of Ato Barba to come to the rescue of fallen Lyceum teammate JM Bravo once he saw him lying on the floor motionless during their NCAA Season 100 game against Arellano University on Saturday.
But under medical emergency procedures, forcefully shaking the head of an unconscious person is a no-no.
At best, all the players on the court, Barba included, could have done was wait for medical personnel to attend to the victim especially since medics are always on a stand-by at the FilOil EcoOil Arena and elsewhere the NCAA games are being played.
READ: Lyceum's JM Bravo still under observation after getting KO'd
“Dapat bayaan lang nila yung EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) na mag-asikaso. And the NCAA has that,” said former NCAA Management Committee chairman Peter Cayco of Arellano.
“Hindi nga lang nakalapit agad kasi naharangan na sila (nung mga players).”
The horrible incident happened with eight seconds remaining in the tightly-fought contest as Bravo got hit hard on the jaw by the head of Renzo Abiera during a fiere battle for the loose ball.
An obviously hurt Bravo still managed to hold on to his jaw, but fell down hard to the floor and became unconscious.
Barba, who was within distance of his teammate, went to the aid of Bravo and tried to revive him by insistently shaking his head several times until the medics came over.
But for all his good intentions, Barba, the former juniors MVP, came under fire from some netizens for not following medical protocols.
Under such circumstances, the head of Barba should have been carefully supported, while avoiding moving his head.
“Sa mga ganung sitwasyon, dapat secure muna yung leeg nung pasyente just to be safe kasi wala siyang malay. And sana huwag yugyugin yung ulo,” said sports photographer Dennis Jerome Acosta, who is also a nurse by profession.
“Pero di natin masisisi yung bata dahil naging priority niya yung gisingin yung teammate niya since natakot na rin siya,”
In an interview with NCAA coveror GMA News, Barba admitted he panicked a bit since the life of his brother was at risk.
“Siyempre kanina as a brother and makita mo yung kapatid mong ganun, talagang magpa-panic ka e. Tsaka first time ko siyang makitang ganon, tumitirik yung mata. Puting-puti na talaga,” said the top gunner of Lyceum.
“So ako, nag-panic ako, talagang ginawa ko yung lahat para magising siya or marinig niya ako,” he added as he was reduced to tears while Bravo was being stretchered out of the playing venue.
“Alam ko naman na mali yung ginawa ko kanina, pero pag nandon na tayo sa sitwasyon na yun, hindi mo na maiisip yun e, kasi gusto mo lang tulungan yung brother mo.”
NCAA ManCom chairman Herc Callanta of host Lyceum said Barba acted under duress.
“He was trying to do his best. He was acting in the interest of JM Barba,” said the Pirates athletic drector.
Bravo, who was rushed to the hospital shortly after, came to the defense of his concerned teammate.
“Please STOP spreading bad vibes, bad and nonsense comments please,” said Bravo in a Facebook post
“John Barba and I are very close and I treat him as a brother also. I understand what he did and I appreciate everyone’s concern, especially my team,” added Bravo, who could be discharged from the hospital earlier than expected.
Nonetheless, the NCAA is set to put out guidelines to be given to all schools concerned on the proper medical protocols to be followed to avoid a repetition of the incident.
“The chairman will issue corresponding memos to have protocols disseminated to all concerned,” said Cayco.
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