WONDERING why Ateneo's highly touted rookie, SJ Belangel, missed the entire William Jones Cup?
The former juniors standout stayed home to recover from an OZM fracture that he suffered in the Blue Eagles' 77-58 win over Adamson in the SMART Breakdown Basketball Invitational last July 8.
Belangel was hit in the face by a knee from Adamson big man Papi Sarr, who had to scramble back in the paint to defend after being lured out by the Blue Eagles' Angelo Kouame.
The pride of Bacolod City underwent surgery to have his orbital replaced with a titanium plate, in the process missing the Jones Cup trip.
Nonetheless, the Blue Eagles said they played for their injured teammate.
"Alam namin na gusto niya sumama rito, kaso kailangan siyang i-surgery. Pero okay na po yung surgery, okay na po siya ngayon," said Matt Nieto.
“So naglaro kami para sa kanya kasi alam namin na part ng family si SJ and of course, ilalaro namin para sa kanya talaga," he added.
Belangel's recovery is set for a six-week timetable, and he's expected to be ready for the UAAP Season this September.
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