FEU coach rushed to hospital due to high blood pressure

The absence of a leader was one of the reasons why Far Eastern University succumbed to pressure in Game 2 of the UAAP men’s basketball Finals at the Araneta Coliseum Thursday. Glenn Capacio, the head coach of the Tamaraws, was brought to Medical City for a precautionary checkup after his blood pressure shot up. Team officials led by FEU board representative to the UAAP board Anton Montinola and athletic director Mark Molina said that Capacio's blood pressure went up before the end of the second quarter, and that he was advised by doctors to go to the hospital for observation. "He was feeling a bit dizzy and our doctor said his blood pressure was too high," said Molina after the Tamaraws bowed to Ateneo, 65-62, allowing the Eagles a UAAP three-peat. "Actually, he made the decision not to return, and he was also advised not to stay in the game because of the tense situation. We're hoping he's okay," Molina added. Capacio’s absence left the Tamaraws without a mentor to guide them in the cruciual moments of the game against the more experienced and three-peat-seeking Ateneo Blue Eagles squad. The untimely departure of Capacio somehow rattled the Tamaraws bench, even as assistant coaches Ritchie Ticzon and Bert Flores tried to fill in the void. But they proved no match for multi-titled mentor Norman Black, who calmly carried the Eagles to a steady endgame finish for the school’s first Grand Slam. Black was actually unaware that Capacio wasn't on the sidelines in the second half and was surprised when the scribes told about his condition. "He wasn't there? I didn't noticed it during the game. God bless him," said Black. "He's a good friend of mine and I hope he gets well." A former player of Far Eastern University told GMANews.TV that the outcome might have been different if Capacio was able to coach the squad from start to finish. “It’s really different if the coach is the one handling the players, especially in the crucial stretch, rather than the members of the coaching staff," said the former Tamaraw, who requested anonymity. Coach Louie Alas, the head mentor of the Philippine Patriots and also the bench tactician of the Letran Knights, said that Capacio’s presence was very important in the crucial stage of the championship match. “We’ll never know. Players decide the outcome, but again, FEU might have had a better chance if the captain of the ship was there," said Alas, who’s being assisted by Capacio with the Patriots squad in the Asean Basketball League. Newly-appointed Meralco Bolts coach and three-time PBA Coach of the Year awardee Ryan Gregorio opined that Capacio’s absence really hurt FEU’s chances. “The coach plays an important part in a team. Coach Glenn is one of the best coaches in the collegiate ranks right now. Match-ups, offensive execution and defensive strategies are all part of the scope of a coach’s job," said Gregorio. “He could have made key substitutions and timely timeouts during the crucial stretches of the game. In addition, the FEU players might have lost a bit of focus because of the health condition of their coach." “In the final analysis, it is ultimately the health of an individual more than the result of the game that is more important. I hope Coach Glenn is alright," added Gregorio. Capacio’s contract is reportedly set to expire after the season. Montinola said they will assess Capacio’s fate in the off-season. - KY/RCJ, GMANews.TV