NATIONAL University’s Jeff Javillonar will most likely miss the entire UAAP Season 77 after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his right knee.
NU coach Eric Altamirano confirmed on Tuesday that Javillonar suffered the injury in practice while the Bulldogs were preparing for their game in the PBA D-League, where they carry the colors of Banco De Oro.
Javillonar sat on the sidelines wearing a knee protector during NU-BDO’s PBA D-League Aspirants Cup match against Derulo Accelero. NU-BDO beat Derulo, 83-57, to close out its campaign on a three-game winning run.
While the injury is expected to heal in July when the UAAP basketball tournament usually starts, Altamirano said he prefers Javillonar to sit out Season 77 since the NU forward will be absent for the rest of the Bulldogs’ preseason preparation.
The injury adds to the woes of the Bulldogs, who will likely be without superstar Bobby Ray Parks next season. The national player has bared plans to pursue opportunities in the US after he graduates in March.
Javillonar averaged a five points and 2.9 rebounds for the Bulldogs last season, but made the headlines when a collision with Jeric Teng in a UAAP game forced the University of Santo Tomas star to miss several games due to a shoulder injury.
After sustaining the injury, Teng accused Javillonar of bumping him on purpose, which the NU forward denied. The two have since patched up their differences.
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