De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde might be marching into its do-or-die battle against Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Sunday without one of its top gunners.
According to Benilde head coach Charles Tiu, Migs Oczon will likely sit out the game due to a sprained ankle he sustained early in Game 1 of the NCAA Season 98 Finals last Sunday.
"He most probably will not play. Doesn’t look like he can practice or isn’t walking too well," Tiu said in a message on Tuesday.
The rookie sniper had a bad landing just after hitting a three-pointer over Letran's Kyle Tolentino in the 8:05 mark of the opening period to put Benilde up by one, 5-4.
But Oczon was immediately seen limping off the court as he was unable to return to the game since then, and most likely in Game 2 this coming Sunday, December 11.
With Oczon out for the majority of the game, Will Gozum and Miggy Corteza stepped up big time for the Blazers with the MVP frontrunner pouring in 18 points and 11 rebounds while Corteza chipped in 18 markers as well and two boards.
Their efforts, though, were not enough as Benilde absorbed an 81-75 loss as the Knights moved on the verge of a three-peat championship.
"I was a bit surprised, I didn't really see it on video. I know he got hurt, I'm surprised the referees didn't call a foul," said Tiu after the game.
"I really thought he'd be able to come back, but when they told me he couldn't go, I was really surprised. That's basketball talaga and sometimes, things just don't go your way. I would've liked to see him compete."
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
