The UST Tiger Cubs are dedicating their Season 87 journey to their big man Alfred Loreto, who successfully underwent brain tumor removal surgery on Sunday, head coach Manu Iñigo said.
The news of the successful operation was a source of comfort for the Tiger Cubs, who suffered a 70-61 defeat to the NU Bullpups in their season opener Sunday morning.
Earlier this week, Loreto was hospitalized after suffering from severe headaches and vomiting. Doctors later diagnosed him with pituitary macroadenoma, a benign tumor that affects the pituitary gland, which controls bodily functions including growth and metabolism.
“Thank God, successful daw ang operation niya,” Inigo told the Varsitarian. “Depende sa kaniya kung paano siya makaka-recover agad, pero ang sabi naman ng doctor, possible siyang makabalik bago matapos ang second round.”
Iñigo said the team was deeply affected by Loreto’s condition, considering how eager Loreto was to compete in his final season at the UAAP juniors level.
“Medyo mabigat din ‘yong hearts ng players kasi nga nawala ‘yong isang teammate nila,” he said.”
“Ilang taon niyang pinaghandaan ‘to. Bata pa lang gusto niya na maglaro sa mga ganiyang level, tapos kung kailan siya graduating, doon nawala kaya nalungkot kami,” he added.
Tiger Cubs captain and Loreto’s roommate Koji Buenaflor said the diagnosis motivated him to compete harder in every game.
“Siyempre parang motivation na rin namin ‘yong nangyari kay Alfred since ka-room ako ni Alfred, alam ko talaga ‘yong ugali niya, ‘yong pangarap niya sa buhay,” Buenaflor said. “Gustong-gusto niya talaga maglaro.”
As Loreto begins his recovery, Iñigo said the Tiger Cubs will dedicate every game in Season 87 to him moving forward.
“Ide-dedicate namin sa kanya every game,” he said. “Win or lose, we go all out for him.”