Struggling all season long, all Jerie Pingoy wanted to do Saturday afternoon was to nail a big shot. And it was for a friend who passed away a year ago.
Back in 2016, Pingoy – a blue chip, 5-foot-8 floor general – did not make the academic cut off for Ateneo de Manila University. As he moved to San Marcelino to join the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, he tried to make new friends. And he was able to find one in Renz Barcelonia.
“Sa Adamson ko siya naging kaibigan. Batchmate ko, lahat ng gusto niya, gusto ko rin. Mga gusto niyang laruin, nilalaro din namin sa computer,” shared Pingoy.
“Lagi kami magkasama kahit saan.
“Siya yung every time na matatalo, sasabihin sa akin, ‘Okay lang yan, bawi ka’. Wala akong money o pagkain, pinapapunta niya ako sa bahay niya,” he added.
And when Pingoy finally suited up for the Soaring Falcons last season, Barcelona made sure to watch every game.
“Lagi siya last year, every game nanonood talaga siya at magcha-chat siya sa akin,” added Pingoy.
“Sabi niya, ‘Atabs, galingan mo ah’.”
Last October 18, 2017, Jerie Pingoy and the Soaring Falcons were celebrating their 6th win of the season, trouncing the UE Red Warriors, 66-57. However, he received a devastating news afterwards.
“Biglng nangyari yun last year, second round against UE. After ng game, sobrang iyak ko pumunta ako sa ospital,” he recalled.
“Sabi ng kapatid niya, ‘Kuya, wala na si kuya Renz.’
“Gumuho yung mundo ko. Akalain mo may anak pa siya. Sobrang sakit na ‘di mo ma-take. Tinatanong mo sa sarili mo ano nangyari,” he added.
Barcelona passed away because of food poisoning.
A year later, Pingoy has yet to move on. But he made sure to celebrate his life.
Against the Green Archers, Pingoy nailed a triple with 3:31 left in the game – a dagger by all accounts. As the shot went in, Pingoy looked up to the heavens.
“Nung pumasok yung three points sabi ko, ‘Renz, salamat’.”
Pingoy won’t around to join the team’s post-game dinner tonight. Instead, he will visit his friend in Paco, Manila as he continues to both mourn his demise and celebrate his life.
“Para sa ‘yo ito Renz.”
