FEU coach rushed to hospital due to high blood pressure

source: gmanews.tv

The absence of a leader was one of the
reasons why Far Eastern University
succumbed to pressure in Game 2 of the
UAAP men’s basketball Finals at
the Araneta Coliseum Thursday.

Glenn Capacio, the head coach of the
Tamaraws, was brought to Medical City
for a precautionary checkup after his
blood pressure shot up.


Team officials led by FEU board
representative to the UAAP board Anton
Montinola and athletic director Mark
Molina said that Capacio's blood
pressure went up before the end of the
second quarter, and that he was advised
by doctors to go to the hospital for
observation.

" He was feeling a bit dizzy and our
doctor said his blood pressure was too
high, " said Molina after the Tamaraws
bowed to Ateneo, 65-62, allowing the
Eagles a UAAP three-peat.

"Actually, he made the decision not to
return, and he was also advised not to
stay in the game because of the tense
situation. We're hoping he's okay,"
Molina added.

Capacio’s absence left the
Tamaraws without a mentor to guide them
in the cruciual moments of the game
against the more experienced and
three-peat-seeking Ateneo Blue Eagles
squad.

The untimely departure of Capacio
somehow rattled the Tamaraws bench, even
as assistant coaches Ritchie Ticzon and
Bert Flores tried to fill in the void.

But they proved no match for
multi-titled mentor Norman Black, who
calmly carried the Eagles to a steady
endgame finish for the school’s
first Grand Slam.

Black was actually unaware that Capacio
wasn't on the sidelines in the second
half and was surprised when the scribes
told about his condition.

"He wasn't there? I didn't noticed it
during the game. God bless him," said
Black. "He's a good friend of mine and
I hope he gets well."

A former player of Far Eastern
University told GMANews.TV that the
outcome might have been different if
Capacio was able to coach the squad from
start to finish.

“It’s really different if
the coach is the one handling the
players, especially in the crucial
stretch, rather than the members of the
coaching staff," said the former
Tamaraw, who requested anonymity.

Coach Louie Alas, the head mentor of the
Philippine Patriots and also the bench
tactician of the Letran Knights, said
that Capacio’s presence was very
important in the crucial stage of the
championship match.

“ We’ll never know. Players
decide the outcome, but again, FEU might
have had a better chance if the captain
of the ship was there," said Alas,
who’s being assisted by Capacio
with the Patriots squad in the Asean
Basketball League.

Newly-appointed Meralco Bolts coach and
three-time PBA Coach of the Year awardee
Ryan Gregorio opined that
Capacio’s absence really hurt
FEU’s chances.

“ The coach plays an important
part in a team. Coach Glenn is one of
the best coaches in the collegiate ranks
right now. Match-ups, offensive
execution and defensive strategies are
all part of the scope of a coach’s
job, " said Gregorio. “ He could
have made key substitutions and timely
timeouts during the crucial stretches of
the game. In addition, the FEU players
might have lost a bit of focus because
of the health condition of their coach."

“In the final analysis, it is
ultimately the health of an individual
more than the result of the game that is
more important. I hope Coach Glenn is
alright," added Gregorio.

Capacio’s contract is reportedly
set to expire after the season.
Montinola said they will assess
Capacio’s fate in the off-season.
- KY/RCJ, GMANews.TV

UPDATE: Ateneo nips FEU to complete
Grand Slam (click here)

Ateneo 65 - Buenafe 23, Monfort 10,
Salva 9, Long 7, Chua 7, Salamat 3,
Golla 3, Escueta 2, Austria 1, Erram 0,
Gonzaga 0, de Chavez 0.

FEU 62 - Cervantes 15, Sanga 13, Ramos
9, Cawaling 8, Noundou 6, Garcia 6,
Romeo 2, Exciminiano 2, Bringas 1, Cruz
0, Guerrero 0.

Quarter scores: 13-22, 30-31, 52-50,
65-62.