Jeron Teng, 2 other cagers hurt in Taguig brawl

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) players Jeron Teng and Norbert Torres and their former La Salle teammate Thomas Torres sustained stab wounds after figuring in an incident at a parking lot in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig before dawn yesterday, according to authorities.

A few hours later, Taguig police arrested Edmar Manalo, 40, Joseph Varona, 39, and Williard Basili, 38, the alleged assailants of the three cagers who were at the Fort Strip reportedly to attend a La Salle event.

Southern Police District director Chief Supt. Tomas Apolinario said Teng, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ Most Valuable Player in 2013 and 2016 and now a PBA rookie with the Alaska Milk Aces, sustained three stab wounds in his back while the Torreses (not related) sustained “superficial injuries in their bodies.”

Teng’s group was reportedly walking outside Early Night Club at the Fort Strip around 2:30 a.m. yesterday when approached by Manalo and his companions. They then figured in an altercation that led to a brawl that resulted in the stabbing incident.

Apolinario said the motive of the suspects is still unknown, but a possible old grudge between the two camps might have triggered the incident.

“It seems there is an old grudge. Nagkita sa isang alley sa BGC, nagkatinginan lang at nag-away na (They met in an alley in BGC, looked at one another then quarreled),” he said.

Apolinario said Teng and the Torreses were treated at the nearby St. Luke’s Medical Center where all three were declared out of danger at past 2 p.m.

“Jeron has been transferred to a regular room,” Alaska Milk team manager Dickie Bachmann said. “There were conflicting reports and we’re still gathering information. The most important is Jeron is out of danger.”

“Norbert has been discharged, but I’ve yet to personally talk to him,” Rain or Shine top official Mert Mondragon said. “He just texted a member of our coaching staff. He said he’s wounded in his hand and it may take him a week to play again.”

Apolinario said Teng and his companions have prepared their statement yesterday and are set to file physical injury charges against the suspects, who are currently detained at the Taguig City police station pending investigation of their case.

Both Teng and Torres came from a game in the PBA. Teng scored eight points in their 109-103 win over the GlobalPort Batang Pier, while Torres chipped in five markers in their 99-96 triumph in overtime over the Magnolia Hotshots.

“I’ll talk to Alvin and Susan (parents of Teng) first and gather all the information, then we’ll make a statement,” Bachmann said.

The Rain or Shine management said they would help Torres and provide him counseling.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said he would coordinate with the ball clubs.

Teng, the No. 5 pick in the last PBA draft, is a top candidate for Rookie of the Year honors now that Kiefer Ravena is to serve an 18-month FIBA suspension for failing a doping test. Top pick Christian Standhardinger is out of the race since he’s just joined the San Miguel Beer team upon completion of his tenure with the Hong Kong Eastern ball club in the ASEAN Basketball League.

Torres was the eighth pick in the 2015 PBA draft. He has played with four teams – Star, Phoenix Fuel, TNT KaTropa and ROS – just three years into his pro career.

Thomas Torres was a third-round pick by the Magnolia Hotshots but was left unsigned. He is said to be set to play for the Mandaluyong El Tigre in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.