WINLESS UE AT RISK OF LOSING JOHN ABATE FOR REST OF SEASON

SKIPPER John Abate was out for the University of the East’s second-round UAAP Season 88 matchup against the University of the Philippines due to a nose fracture.

According to head coach Chris Gavina, Abate sustained the injury after colliding with teammate Precious Momowei on a rebound attempt in their previous game against Ateneo.

The Fil-Am guard wound up fracturing his nose, which, according to team doctors, may need surgery after examination.

"In the evaluation of our doctor, it was kind of recommended that he let the swelling go down," Gavina said after their loss to the Fighting Maroons last Wednesday with Abate, Dray Caoile, Cole Cruz-Dumont, and Mo Tanedo out due to respective injuries.

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"And then, honestly, it's a choice for him of whether he wants to finish out and play in his last three games or get the surgery that he may need to restructure his nose."

UE's John Abate PHOTO: UAAP Media Bureau

With this being his final playing year for the red-and-white, Abate asked for extra time to determine if he will push through with the surgery or finish out his last games in college.

Still, with no decision as of yet, Gavina assured his veteran guard that Recto has felt and will always remember his impact, whether or not he suits up for another game.

"I told him, you know, you don't have to prove anything. You have more than shown your character and integrity as a player to me and to the UE community. So whatever he decides, I'm fully for," he said.

Next man up for UE

With Abate out for the time being, Dylan Despi assumed starter duties, dropping nine points, five assists, and four rebounds.

UE coach Chris Gavina PHOTO: UAAP Media Bureau

And with that, Gavina is shifting his coachinga focus to developing younger players who will be playing with a looser leash moving forward.

"I mean, we got young guys like Tope Lagat that emerged today. Hopefully, you know, Jax [Distrito] came in and gave us great quality minutes," he said.

"You know, every failure or struggle is an opportunity for learning. That's all I can really ask for right now, as we finish out our last three games in this season."

2025-11-09T06:15:07Z