National University Bulldogs’ bid to redeem themselves this year got another blow as senior player Jeff Javillonar suffered ACL injury and might miss their UAAP campaign this season.
Jeff Javillonar (Photo Credit: GMA News)
The 6’2 forward got injured in the practice of the NU-BDO team in the PBA D-league.
According to Spin.ph, Bulldogs mentor Eric Altamirano confirmed the news and said he preferred to sit out Javillonar for season 77 as he will not be able to join the Sampaloc-based squad in the preseason training.
Bulldogs star Bobby Ray Parks earlier had bared his plan to forego his last year eligibility for the team to seek NBA opportunity when he graduated in March.
Foreign player Emmanuel Mbe also will no longer be back for NU this season as he already served his playing years for his school.
The lost of Parks, Javillonar and Mbe, starters last year will hurt NU’s slim front line and wing spot come July.
The Bulldogs fell short to advance in the finals last season 76 after being eliminated by UST growling tigers despite their twice-to-beat advantage.
Javillonar is known by UAAP fans for his pushing incident with Jeric Teng in the NU and UST elimination game, which injured the UST star and caused him to sit out for several games.