ORGANIZERS of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup have denied claims of “negligence” on their part in the events that led to the death of Jose Rizal University high school player Carl Jimwell 'CJ' Servillon.
Filoil tournament director Joey Guillermo said the league as well as the emergency rescue team gave proper care to Servillon after he collapsed on Friday morning during the Light Bombers' game against De La Salle-Zobel.
The junior player died on Sunday night. He was 17.
Severo Servillon, the grandfather of CJ, told Spin.ph that as per the account of the JRU coaching staff, it took 30 minutes for the player to be brought from The Arena in San Juan to the Cardinal Santos Medical Center because the driver of the ambulance on standby outside the arena wasn't around at the time of the incident.
The delay, Servillon added, affected the player's chance of survival, according to doctors.
[See Relative rues organizers 'negligent' on emergency medical services]
However, Guillermo said the claim was contradicted by an official report made by the rescue team, which said the medical team was able to bring Servillon to the hospital in 10 minutes.
Guillermo said the travel time can be supported by CCTV footages at the venue and in the streets around the city.
“From the time na-call ‘yung attention na nag-collapse (si Servillon) hanggang sa nakaalis ng arena, four minutes. Then, it took six minutes to take him to Cardinal (Santos hospital),” said Guillermo.
“Basically, the rescue team did its best to ensure the player has life until he was brought to Cardinal,” he added.
Guillermo said they will also submit the official report of the medical team to the family of Servillon when they visit the wake and assured that Filoil will extend financial assistance to the family following the sad incident.
“We will be providing financial assistance out of goodness from Filoil. Siyempre, medyo na-ano rin kami na may nangyari. We’ve done what is necessary. It’s a very rare case. Most of what happened to us are injuries. But this is a rare case,” said Guillermo.
Guillermo said a press conference will be held on Wednesday afternoon in order to further clear up the issue.
[See Senate awaits autopsy report as players' death raises red flag]
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph