Jose Rizal University lost one of its key cogs Justin Lozano late in the fourth quarter of its game against defending champion Mapua in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament on Friday.
Lozano was rushed to the hospital after a bad fall but the Heavy Bombers used his absence as extra motivation to eke out an emotional win over the Cardinals.
UPDATE: JRU coach Nani Epondulan says Justin Lozano is already awake and conscious after their 66-63 win over Mapua. #NCAASeason101 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/GvseqTdTFM
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‘Earlier, while we were singing our hymn, they told us that he’s already awake while he was in the ambulance. He’s with our medical team,’ said JRU coach Nani Epondulan, whose squad improved to 4-4 in Group B.
‘Losing him earlier made me teary-eyed because when I saw him, it’s like I was the one who got hurt so I told them to get the win for Justin,’ he added. ‘I told them to get this game and win for Justin because he was with us from the very start of the season.’
Lozano hit his head on the floor after chasing down Mapua guard Cyrus Nitura on a fastbreak attempt at the 2:08 mark of the final frame. He had 13 points, three rebounds and two steals before being stretchered off the floor.