Lyceum's Gabayni cleared to play, may return in 2nd round

MANILA, Philippines – Lyceum of the Philippines University big man Joseph Gabayni has been cleared to play after suffering injuries in a motorcycle accident in the offseason, but head coach Topex Robinson is not in any hurry to play him yet.

Gabayni missed all of Lyceum's six games so far in the NCAA Season 92 tournament, although in his absence, import Mike Nzeusseu has blossomed into a double-double machine, and the Pirates have won their last three games.

"He got clearance already, and he practiced with our Team B," Robinson said Tuesday after Lyceum's 83-79 win over San Sebastian College.

"Ang concern namin is his health," he added. "We'd rather have him later, than to have him half-baked. So hopefully, by the second round, he'll be okay."

(READ: Pirates surge to third in a row on back of Nzeusseu’s 26-24)

Asked if Gabayni's entry will have an adverse effect on their chemistry, especially on the play of the explosive Nzeusseu, Robinson said: "That would be a good problem to have."

"I guess, kumbaga 'yung minutes ni Mike have been really big," he pointed out. "So maybe, it's gonna be a good addition to have Gabayni, to split the minutes between the two."

"Again, it's a big help kung makabalik na si Otep," he added.

Also slated to return in the second round is veteran forward Jebb Bulawan, who sustained a shoulder injury in their loss to Mapua Institute of Technology.

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