Giant Risers left without answers on status of promising rookie

Titan Ultra Giant Risers’ Mark Omega stretched out of the court after suffering a bad fall in a game vs Macau in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

Titan Ultra should have been all smiles after a 132-128 win over Macau in the PBA Governors’ Cup eliminations at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Tuesday night as the Giant Risers gained some pride in what has been a struggling campaign in the season-ending conference.

But that wasn’t the case.

Even after improving to a 2-5 record in Group A, the Giant Risers were left grappling for answers on the status of rookie Mark Omega, who suffered a horrific fall late in the fourth period while going for an offensive rebound of a Roi Sumang miss that he was stretchered out of the floor and taken straight to a nearby hospital.

“We’ll just pray [that he is OK],” coach Rensy Bajar said. “We saw how bad his fall was. We can only pray for him. Hopefully, there’s nothing serious when we see the results [of medical examinations].

“Let’s hope and pray that nothing bad [comes out of the examinations].”

Titan led Macau, 110-95 early in the fourth when Sumang launched a three-pointer in hopes of adding cushion to the Giant Risers’ lead.

Omega then soared for the offensive glass, and the former Letran standout in the NCAA landed so badly that he spent close to the next five minutes on the floor, wincing in obvious pain, as medical personnel rushed to the court.

Omega turned in six points and four rebounds in just over seven minutes of action. And it could have been his breakout game, Bajar believes.

“I always talk to Denver. Earlier, I talked to him and just told him to play his game,” said Bajar, who coincidentally coached the Knights while Omega was in his residency year with Letran in 2023.

“I just kept telling him to wait for his [time] … It could’ve been his breakout game.”

The Giant Risers did enough to hold off the guest squad Giant Pandas, as import Tirrell Brown finished just three assists shy of a triple-double with 36 points and 10 rebounds.

Joshua Munzon, the subject of big trade talk with a powerhouse squad just a few weeks back, fired 18 points in a tremendous backup job to Brown, while Sumang and Bryan Sajonia chipped in 14 and 13, respectively.

De’Vondre Perry dominated for Macau with 45 points and 14 rebounds as the Giant Pandas dropped into a tie with their conquerors.

Ramon Cao had 24 points and 12 rebounds, with the 5-foot-8 Damian Chong Qui and Jeffrey Ma both finishing with 18 points as Macau coaching coachig staff played just eight men.