MANILA, Philippines – The UP Fighting Maroons will be left with a sizeable hole in the middle come UAAP Season 87 as teenage star and reigning Rookie of the Year Favour Onoh is set to miss the entire women’s basketball tournament due to injuries on both knees, the team confirmed on Tuesday, September 3.
“She really won’t make it. It’s more of a decision agreed upon by us the coaching staff, team management, doctors, and Favour herself. We believe this is the right thing to do,” head coach Paul Ramos, who steered UP to its first Final Four berth since 2008, said in a statement.
“We don’t want to force her to be in the lineup, then if she’s not at full-strength, she’d waste one playing year. We didn’t want to risk anything anymore.”
Still only 18 years old, the Nigerian Onoh played well beyond her years in her astounding rookie campaign, posting huge averages of 11.0 points, 14.9 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 assists.
She joined forces with Gilas Pilipinas’ Louna Ozar, Kaye Pesquera, and Christie Bariquit in powering the Fighting Maroons to a 6-0 start that included a scintillating triumph over the NU Lady Bulldogs, then the seven-time defending champions.
Despite sitting out the upcoming season hosted by her alma mater, Onoh promised to be a positive presence around her teammates as they try to replicate their Season 86 magic without their top anchor manning the paint.
“That’s a given. She’ll still be with us in the games, practices, everything,” Ramos continued. “As always, we choose to look at the positive things coming out of this. Now, we can say, the girls will be more inspired to play because they now have Favour to play for, and they love Favour.
In Onoh’s absence, Achrissa Maw and Shanina Tapawan will carry a heavier burden to hold down the fort. Ozar and fellow Gilas player Camille Nolasco, meanwhile, have been cleared from national team duties and will be ready for action right away. – Rappler.com