The harrowing experience of Ateneo De Manila senior’s basketball team co-captain Chris Urbina has become a reminder for leagues and game organizers to put greater emphasis on player safety and emergency response in venues.

Urbina, during a game in a pre-season tournament for UAAP Season 86, experienced a seizure after attempting to draw a charge from an attacking opponent.

The opponent’s knee struck his chest as Urbina hit the ground and immediately clutched onto his ribs. He struggled to breath and appeared to have lost consciousness, leaving everyone in the venue stunned and silent.

What followed was a whirlwind of uncertainty that involved exhaustive hospital tests running late into the night, to the emotional arrival of his father from Iloilo. 

While further tests on Urbina showed no signs of lasting damage, the scene came as a reminder on the critical role of trained medical personnel, such as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and athletic trainers, at sports events. 

These professionals provide more than just a safety net; they are the first line of defense in emergencies, capable of handling everything from concussions to fractures to life-threatening cardiac events.

Equally important is the availability of life-saving equipment like Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in every sports venue. 

Sudden cardiac arrests, though rare, can strike without warning, and in the adrenaline-charged world of competitive sports, the risks are magnified. AEDs, operated by trained staff, can restore a heart’s rhythm in seconds, bridging the gap between a critical incident and emergency care.

With the UAAP Season 87 resuming action on Jan. 19, Urbina, who is back in the pink of his health, is at the forefront of an advocacy that calls for improved safety standards in sports.