ON WEDNESDAY, August 20, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons confirmed the death of their recruit, Israel Friday. The 19-year-old center collapsed during a team practice held on Tuesday.
Friday, who stood at 6-foot-10, had recently moved from Centro Escolar University (CEU), where he served as the Scorpions’ key big man in the University and Colleges Athletic League.
According to the UP Office of Athletics and Sports Development (OASD), the Nigerian center was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, but despite efforts from medical staff, he could not be revived.
Following the incident, the UP OASD plans to revise its protocols regarding student-athlete welfare, prompted by the tragic loss of the Fighting Maroons’ latest foreign recruit.
Stricter Screening
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, UP OASD Director Bo Perasol said they are now working on enhancing procedures to better assess athletes’ fitness to compete.
Perasol explained that all incoming students, including athletes, must undergo a medical evaluation before enrolling at UP. Student-athletes also need to pass a pre-participation medical sports evaluation (PMSE) before they can join training.
Additionally, one of the immediate adjustments after consultation with partner physicians is to have all foreign student-athletes undergo medical testing before being cleared for practice.
“Bago mag-resume ng practice ngayon ng all foreign student-athletes ng UP, they have to undergo tests, ‘no? Ngayon sa cardiovascular tests muna ngayon,” Perasol said.
“Regardless, kung nag-undergo na sila ng sinasabi ko kanina na PMSE, but they have to go para ma-clear lang natin about their medical kung meron silang medical conditions ngayon,” he added.
What makes the situation even more tragic is that Friday had just received official approval from the Varsity Admission Committee to transfer to the Diliman-based university on Monday, August 18—only a day before he collapsed.
“Really unfortunate, hindi niya na inabot. Kasi he was approved to undergo a medical certification early this week. Kasi ngayon [Monday] nga lang siya na-approve ng varsity committee. So, hindi niya na inabot yung medical evaluation,” Perasol said.
Latest on Friday
Perasol also shared that they sought the family’s consent to perform an autopsy to determine the precise cause of Friday’s death. However, the Nigerian athlete’s family declined the request.
“For some reasons, maybe some religious reasons, inayawan nila yung autopsy. So yung nasa death certificate would only put in there as a myocardial infarction as the cause of death…. Well, as it was explained to me also, ito raw ay isang heart attack,” he said.
The director also used the opportunity to clarify that Friday’s former team, the CEU Scorpions, did not relay any information regarding pre-existing medical conditions that may have affected his performance.
“Coach Gold, parang in-inform niya yung CEU management, wala silang sinabi na walang ano yan, walang prior na incidents na would point out that meron siyang medical condition about the heart,” Perasol shared.
“So walang sinabing ganun. Kasi malalaman din naman natin. Kasi during the games, malalaman din ng CEU yan na nagkakaroon ng difficulty in breathing o may chest pains,” he went on to say.
Meanwhile, all team members have reportedly spoken with a counselor to process the incident and talk about their next steps. The UP OASD has also provided full support to Friday’s family in the wake of his passing.
