Second-year UE guard Bonbon Batiller was playing at a high speed during the Red Warriors’ penultimate game of the season against the UP Fighting Maroons.
Having scored seven points in just six minutes during the second quarter, the General Santos City-native attempted a lay-up over the outstretched arms of Paul Desiderio. However, his right foot clipped his defender’s body causing him to fall hard on his back.
“Una, pagbagsak, parang kaya pa. Pero nung isang minuto na akong nakahiga, sobrang sakit na, di ko na magalaw paa ko,” he reflected.
Batiller was stretchered out of the game. Watching his team in their locker room, he forced the team’s doctors to clear him to return. His will overcame the pain he was in.
“Gusto ko talaga makatulong sa team para manalo kami dahil wala talaga, sobrang down kami sa season na to,” he said.
“Ako lang. Sabi ng doktor, kung kaya ko raw, kung may masakit. Sabi ko, meron, pero kaya. Kaya pinayagan ako ng doktor na makabalik.”
He was instrumental in quelling UP’s hijack attempt, scoring three straight points in the last two minutes. He finished the game with 14 points and helped the Red Warriors their third win of the season, sending season-hosts UST to seventh place.
“Sabi ko nga, basta maglaro lang ako nang maayos. Sa palagay ko, kaya ko naman yung sakit.”
With the pain still present even after the game, he plans on having himself checked-up. But still it was all worth it.
