JRU player dies after collapsing in FilOil game

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Jose Rizal University Light Bombers player CJ Servillon was pronounced dead on Sunday, May 24, two days after the athlete collapsed during a FilOil game against De La Salle Zobel at the San Juan arena. 

According to Servillon’s cousin Shiela Afable, the 17-year-old requested for a substitution during a time-out in the second quarter of the game and immediately fainted when he got to the bench. 

Carl Jimwell Servillon was rushed to Cardinal Santos Medical Center but fell into a coma shortly after. He was transferred to the intensive care unit but died late on Sunday. 

According to Afable, the lack of oxygen may have been a reason why Servillon fell into a coma. 

“Hindi namin alam kung yung ambulance may oxygen, kasi sa hospital na kami lahat nag punta,” Afable said.

(We don’t know if the ambulance had an oxygen tank, because we all meet at the hospital already.)

Afable says the athlete was given mouth-to-mouth after suffering a seizure at his team’s bench. The athlete’s cousin also said that doctors detected an issue in his heart that was likely the root issue for the incident.

“Pero hindi na-detect kaagad,” she said.

(But it wasn’t detected right away.)

Afable said, from her knowing, that the JRU Light Bombers plan to sit out the rest of the FilOil tournament after the incident. Officials from the FilOil tourney have also contacted Servillon’s family with offers to help in any way they can. 

The body of the athlete is back with his family. A wake is scheduled for later this week. 

Jose Rizal University issued a statement on Monday, saying: 

“José Rizal University and the whole Rizalian community send their deepest condolences to the Family of Carl Jimwell ‘CJ’ Servillon. CJ was a member of the JRU Light Bombers Basketball Team. He unexpectedly lost consciousness during a time out in a FilOil Tournament game last May 22. He was immediately brought to Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital, where he was confined to the Intensive Care Unit. CJ passed away last night, May 24. We urge everyone to extend their prayers to CJ’s Family during these trying times.”

More details to follow. – Rappler.com