Alaska’s Jeron Teng, 2 other cagers stabbed
THREE top Filipino basketball players were stabbed in a brawl at the shopping and entertainment mecca Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig City before dawn on Sunday.
The victims were identified as Jeron Teng, 24, of the Alaska Aces; Norbert Torres, 28, of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA); and Thomas Torres, 23, of the Mandaluyong El Tigre of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
Jeron and Norbert are residents of Mandaluyong City and Thomas, of Makati City.
The three men all played with the De La Salle Green Archers in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines.
Norberto Torres and Thomas Torres are not related.
WAITING GAME The Teng family waits at the lobby of the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City where Jeron Teng was rushed after he and two other cagers were stabbed. PHOTO BY BOB DUNGO JR.
Jenny Tecson, spokesman of the Southern Police District (SPD), told The Manila Times in a text message that the suspects, who were arrested, were identified as Edmar Manalo, 40, of 1936 Arizona Avenue, Milipitas, California; Joseph Varona, 33, of 17 Monte de Piada, Paranaque City; and William Basili, 38, of Block 1, Lot 20, Phase 3, Country Homes, Putatan, Muntinlupa City. They were held at the Taguig City Police Station.
Initial investigation showed that Teng’s group was walking outside the Early Night Club at Fort Strip at 2:30 a.m. on Sunday when Manalo and his companions called the attention of the three players.
An argument ensued that led to a brawl and the stabbing of Teng and the two Torreses.
Tecson said the injured were brought to the nearby St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC).
Jeron’s brother, Jeric, plays for GlobalPort.
Jeric also on Sunday said they would file criminal charges against the three suspects.
“We are going to file a case against them. Definitely, ipapakulong ko talaga sila pati sila Thomas din. Mga bata lang sila at ang mga sumaksak sa kanila halos may edad na [Definitely, we and Thomas and Norbert will see to it they end up in jail. They were stabbed by older men],” he told reporters in a video posted by ESPN 5 reporter Lyn Olavario.
“Yung saksak ni [The stab wound of] Jeron was a deep cut sa likod [in the back]and he was very lucky that no vital organs were hit,” Jeric said.
“I know my brother, hindi naman nakikipag-away yan [he does not quarrel with anyone]and he has no track record. Pabalik na lang sila sa kotse nila napagtripan pa [The were going back to their car when they were attacked]. I saw Thomas medyo naiiyak na siya [he was crying]and same with Norbert. Bago ako umalis doon. marami pang dugo [Before I left, there was a lot of blood],” he added.
Jeric said he is praying that his brother will be able to recover soon and resume playing the soonest.
He added that he was not buying the suspects claim of “self-defense” because they had a knife with them.
Alaska team governor Dickie Bachmann said Teng, the fifth overall pick in 2017, is out of danger and resting at the SLMC.
“I know he is in the hospital, but we are still gathering all the data before making a statement. All I can say now is he [Jeron] is already out of danger,” Bachmann told The Manila Times in a phone interview.
“We don’t know yet [what really happened]because I haven’t talked with him yet,” he said during the interview.
Bachmann added that he has no idea when Teng and Abueva will report for practice.
The Alaska Aces’ next game is on June 10 against Magnolia.
Meanwhile, long-time agent Danny Espiritu defended his players.
“Hindi naman kagustuhan ng mga players itong nangyari, saka hindi naman mahilig sa away ang mga yun [The players did not bring it upon themselves, and they are not a quarrelsome lot],” Espiritu said.
But, he added, “Umiwas na lang sana sila sa mga magugulong lugar [They should stay away from places that invite trouble],” apparently addressing all basketball players.
Espiritu said Norbert Torres is also out of danger after being hit in the arm with a knife.
Thomas Torres, who was also stabbed in the arm, is also out of danger.
Just like Jeron, Norbert also played with Rain or Shine last Saturday and won over Magnolia, 99-96.
WITH REPORTS FROM JAMES KONSTANTIN GALVEZ AND ARIC JOHN SY CUA
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