One of the key cogs in the growth of the University of the East Men’s Football Team’s program in the UAAP passed away last September 23, 2021.
Clark Owen Bagsic (May 19, 1998 – September 23, 2021), a Pampanga-native who played as a midfielder and represented UE from Seasons 79 to 82, died.
He was 23.
The cause of death was not disclosed by the family.
“Super nalungkot and nanghihinayang since alam kong kaka-graduate lang niya this year and alam kong napakabuting tao ng bata yun, matalino and mapagmahal sa mga kaibigan kapatid and parents niya,” commented UE coach Fitch Arboleda.
“Bilang dating player, siya ay super mabait na player, walang reklamo. Wala kang maririnig na masama para i-down mga teammates niya. Napakasayahin na bata, smiling face sa field kahit sa kalaban palagi lang naka ngiti at higit sa lahat marunong rumespeto sa mga kasama and coaches.”
Based on a public post on his Facebook account, Bagsic finished his degree of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at the Caloocan campus of University of the East. By all accounts, he was a model student-athlete who paid his off the pitch.
“Si Clark kasi yung taong mahiyain pag di niya masyado close yung mga taong kaharap niya pero pag kasama niya yung mga tropa nya as in sobrang kulit, may kalokohang alam,” reminisced Arboleda.
“Yung campus niya kasi is sa UE Caloocan pa kaya yung dedication niya sa team and training sobrang taas kasi before and after training talagang biyahe pa siya from UE Caloocan to UE Recto and for four years. Wala akong naalalang nag reklamo sa akin or sumagot sagot sa akin.”
As a midfielder, Bagsic was a tireless worker who supported the Red Warriors’ attack and defence. He was also fully capable of creating chances for his teammates when the opportunities came to him.
His closest chance to enter the Final Four with UE came in Season 80, when he helped the Red Warriors secure a fifth placed finish in the elimination round, just a point behind the top four.
“Yung game namin vs FEU ng Season 80, first season ko sa UAAP bilang coach, yung pass nya kay Mar Diano sobrang ganda and na goal naman. Isa yan sa mga hindi ko makalimutang pasa na nagawa niya,” said Arboleda.
Bagsic’s passing is a painful event for Arboleda and the rest of the UE football program. He was a beloved figure in the team and a tough but fair player to compete against on the pitch.
“Honestly, parehas naman kami ng nararamdaman ngayon, lungkot, hinayang lalo na dun sa mga sobrang close niya teammate pero for sure alam ko naman na makakapag pahinga na siya ng maayos kasama si Papa God and for sure makakapaglaro naman siya ulit ng football sa heaven.”
