UAAP: Crippled

Crippled

Lopez' high-flying acts gone - for now

By Josiah Israel Albelda

19 August 2010

Mark Lopez is one of the few UP players I like. Although he has been having problems manning the point for the disgruntled, demoralized and distracted Maroons, the athletic Lopez has always been there to sky high for rebounds and dive for loose balls.

Earlier today, the six-foot-two wingman suffered what apparently was a torn ACL in his right knee after a fall in UP's game against host De La Salle. After colliding with Archer rookie Jarelan Tampus in midair, Lopez landed, fell down and pointed in his knee as he helplessly sought for salvation.

He was brought out of the court in a stretcher with his right knee in heavy braces. 

Adding insult to injury was the loss of team captain Woody Co early in the fourth quarter due to an ankle sprain. Co landed awkwardly after a shot attempt and grimaced in pain. Even after getting his ankle wrapped in ice, the forward was still writhing in agony, obviously affected by what has happened to him.

With these two "developments," UP's once-promising season is quickly and surely descending into a wasted year. With no wins to show after nine games, the Maroons are in danger of equaling their infamous 0 - 14 Season 70.

Note: It is interesting to note that Coach Dindo Pumaren was one of the first to check on Lopez, who fell in front of the La Salle bench. Actually, nobody from the UP bench went to their teammate's rescue until Pumaren called for help. When Lopez was brought on a stretcher, all Green Archers went to him and gave him high-fives.