Velasco undergoes successful surgery after scary leg injury
Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHSAdC) Magis Eagles All-Star guard Andrew Velasco is now on his road to recovery after a successful surgery to repair the broken bone in his right leg he sustained during their game against the Don Bosco Greywolves in the 17th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball tournament last Tuesday night at the Cebu Coliseum.
CESAFI physician Rhoel Dejano announced on his Facebook page that the surgery was performed by Tony San Juan, Cebu's top orthopaedic surgeon, yesterday morning at the UC Medical Center and it went out well.
"He is going to start rehabilitation tomorrow (today) and may be discharged by Friday or Saturday,"Dejano said.
In a horrific incident, Velasco suffered an open fracture in his right leg on a bad fall after he bumped into Don Bosco's Juan Miguel de la Torre while going for a layup at the 7:50 mark of the third period and the Magis Eagles on top by a dozen points, 32-20.
Velasco laid prone writhing in pain for several minutes before he was stretchered out of the playing court.
Dejano quickly administered first aid on Velasco before he was whisked away to UCMed for further treatment. He described the extent of Velasco's injury as very severe, and likened it to the one sustained by NBA superstar Paul George during a Team USA scrimmage in Las Vegas three years ago.
Dejano has ruled out Velasco for the rest of the CESAFI season as it will take at least a year for the Ateneo cager to recuperate from the career-altering injury.
"He can still play again but definitely not this year," said Dejano.
Velasco's untimely exit is a big blow to the Magis Eagles' campaign for a historic five consecutive title in the juniors division, more so that their top gunner Jed Colonia remains doubtful to play coming off an ACL injury. They are currently on top of the standings though with a 3-0 record.