poll using filter hurt or helped a lens from scratch/breaking

there is a thread about using a filter and who does or doesnt based on if it provides any protection to a lens. I had a 50mm mark I, that was packed on a camera in a van in a bag and it fell about 5 feet, it landed probably at a 45 degree angle right on the filter, it was a hoya, it shattered but didnt scratch the lens, the filter did get wedged in the lens, but i was able to free it, and the lens was fine.
anyway my answer would be yes, it saved the lens

sorry wrong form, mods please delete