Freak accident causes University of the East ace Bonbon Batiller to be stretchered out of the game.
With 8:14 remaining in the second quarter and the UE Red Warriors up 25-17 against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons — their final assignment for UAAP Season 79 — Bonbon Batiller went for a drive against a Paul Desiderio screen. However, as the 22-year-old General Santos native tried to jump over his defender, his right leg clipped the body of Desiderio resulting to a hard fall.
The UE second-year student-athlete was not able to get up, saying that he could not feel his knees, according to a game official. He had to be stretchered out of the court and into the UE dugout.
“Aray!” he murmured as he was brought in to the locker room. His mother, who came from General Santos City, was seen crying as they entered.
The 5-foot-11 guard played six minutes, scoring seven points on 3-of-5 shooting before the freak accident.
Batiller eventually returned to the game after the halftime break.
