By DHEL NAZARIO, with reports from Waylon Galvez, Jonas Terrado and Aaron Recuenco
PBA rookie Jeron Teng of Alaska and two former college teammates were stabbed during a brawl outside of a bar early yesterday in Bonifacio City, Taguig.
Teng, fellow PBA cager Norbert Torres of Rain or Shine and Thomas Torres, who is set to play for Mandaluyong in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, sustained wounds after figuring in a heated argument with a group of men, two of them were later arrested by authorities.
The suspects were identified as Edmar Lacanlale, 40, a Filipino-American contractor; and Williard Basili 38.
Chief Supt. Tom Apolinario, director of the Southern Police District (SPD), said they are now preparing all the evidence that would be used in the criminal cases against the two suspects.
“Cases of frustrated homicide and less serious physical injuries will be filed against the suspects,” said Apolinario, adding that the charges may be filed on Monday.
Agent Marvin Espiritu, who represents Teng and Norbert Torres, said his clients and Thomas Torres are already out of danger after being treated at the St. Lukes Medical Center in BGC.
Initial investigation revealed that Teng’s group was walking just outside of the Early Night bar at the Fort Strip when the incident occurred.
A source said the three former members of La Salle’s 2013 UAAP championship team were with ex-Green Archers teammate Renzo Navarro and Teng’s girlfriend, UAAP courtside reporter Jeanine Tsoi.
The same source, who asked not to be named, added that the suspects said something insulting to Tsoi, prompting the Alaska forward to verbally confront them.
However, Teng’s group was attacked at the parking lot, with one of the attackers carrying a knife.
“They were on their way to the parking lot already, they’re about to leave the bar and go home when they were attacked by the other group of men,” said the source.
The source added that Teng sustained cuts on his ribs, shoulder and hand, Norbert Torres was wounded in the arm and Thomas Torres was stabbed in the triceps, which could force him to miss a month of action for his MPBL team.
During a background check, it was found out that Lacanlale is a US citizen and connected to a construction firm operating in the country. The other suspect is a construction inspector in the same firm where Lacanlale works.
“We will be coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration to determine if his (Lacanlale) stay in the country is legal,” said Apolinario.
Teng and Norbert Torres had just played for their respective PBA teams Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Teng played a minor role in Alaska’s come-from-behind 109-103 victory over GlobalPort, finishing with eight points and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes.
Norbert Torres, on the other hand, had five points and three rebounds in Rain or Shine’s 99-96 overtime win against Magnolia. Torres was acquired from TNT KaTropa in a trade last February.
