ASPAUCULE

Leave case with the police, FEU appeals

By JOAQUIN HENSON
The Philippine Star

Fearing a second attack “to finish the job,” FEU team owner Anton Montinola on Sunday appealed for sobriety from media to end speculation on why power forward Marnel Baracael was shot by a lone gunman Thursday night and said the case should be left strictly with the police to avoid telegraphing moves that could tip off the assailant.

“Silence is golden at this point,” said Montinola. “We refrain from making comments because the gunman could make another attempt at Macs life. Its a scary situation and right now, our focus is to secure our team.”

Montinola said Baracael, 23, is lucky to be alive after a bullet from a .45 caliber pistol pierced his lung but went through his body.

“The trajectory of the bullet was horizontal,” he said. “If the bullet went a little upward, it wouldve hit his heart. If it went a little downward, it wouldve damaged his stomach, kidney or spleen. He couldve died.”

Baracael was with teammates Robert Kave and Ron Cabagnot in front of the Philtrust Bank at the corner of Morayta and Papa when a gunman came from behind to fire using a silencer. After the first shot, the gunman removed the silencer and pulled the trigger once more, this time hitting the ground to create panic in the busy street.

“It was between 8 and 9 at night after practice,” said FEU athletic director Mark Molina. “There were people all over. Vendors were out in the streets. Nobody saw the gunman clearly although some witnesses were able to describe what he wore, how tall he was, that he had a cap on. The gunman was apparently waiting for a while before Mac came along.”

Baracael and his teammates ran to the FEU gate after the shooting. His teammates entered the campus to get a car while Baracael, who was bleeding, sat on the sidewalk to wait. A pedicab driver took Baracael to the Mary Chiles Hospital, which is a five to 10-minute ride away. His teammates later followed to the hospital where a Dr. Certenia did an emergency procedure to remove the blood accumulated in the body after inserting a tube in the chest.

Because the hospital is not equipped to determine the extent of the damage, Dr. Certenia referred Baracael to Capitol Medical Center where he is affiliated.

Baracaels blood pressure was stable when he was rushed to the hospital, indicating no damage to the heart, which was a relief, said Molina. Later dye tests at Capitol Medical Center showed no widespread damage.

The bullets exit saved Baracaels life. The shot was from point blank range so the impact propelled the bullet clear through his body.

“Our priority is to give Mac the medical care and attention for him to recover completely,” said Montinola. “There are no leads so far on who did it and why it was done. The police are now investigating. Authorities arent disclosing whats being done for obvious reasons.”

Montinola said the shooting has rallied the Tamaraws around Baracael. “We played a very emotional game against UE last Saturday,” he added. “Weve got to be up for our game against Ateneo on Thursday.”

A player who has been traumatized by the incident is Kave.

“Robert is asking to go back to Papua New Guinea,” said Montinola. “Theres no basketball where he comes from. They play soccer but not basketball. Its all mountains and mines in his country. Hes only 19. He joined us in high school and established his two-year residence to gain eligibility as a freshman this season.”

Molina said the shooting had nothing to do with FEUs roster revamp after the 2006 season where the Tamaraws didnt qualify for the Final Four despite La Salles suspension.

Molina dismissed speculation the attempt on Baracaels life was linked to a game-fixing syndicate.

“Mac was conscious throughout the procedure at Mary Chiles,” said Molina. “But hes not in a position to discuss things at the moment. He was never involved in any investigation. We dont know why he was shot.”

Last year, FEU player Alfredo Gerilla was removed from the team. Sources said he was suspected of game-fixing but no hard evidence ever surfaced. Another former Tamaraw Jeff Chan, who played on the Philippine team that won the gold at the Southeast Asian Games last year, was allegedly suspected of involvement with a gambling syndicate. However, Gerilla and Chan were never implicated formally because of lack of proof.

Montinola and Molina declined to give credence to speculation that Baracael, a third-year player, squealed on the syndicate.

“There was no squealing from Mac,” said Molina. “Its unfortunate all this gossip is coming out in the wake of the shooting. Lets just leave the case in police hands.”