IT WAS as much a celebration of the life of slain University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancer Jessie “Lucky” Pitogo as an abhorrence for the senseless killing that took his life one week ago current and former UV stars gathered to play Friday evening in an emotional charity game at the Kai Sports Complex in Liloan.

The game, aimed to raise funds for his family, saw the current crop of Lancers prevail, 87-85, courtesy of a game-deciding slam dunk by 6-foot-11 behemoth Greg Slaughter with two seconds remaining.

The win was merely an afterthought as the seven-time Cesafi champions bid their final farewell today, when Pitogo is finally laid to rest.

The 19-year-old, 6-foot-3 Pitogo had high hopes for the upcoming Cesafi season especially with the graduation of five of the team’s big men.

He would have finally showed his skills that made him the league’s Rookie of the Year in 2005.

Those dreams however, were shattered when three men ganged up on him last March 28, and shot him dead in an apparent hold-up, a 100 meters away from his home in Brgy. San Vicente, Liloan. The initial shock has given way to acceptance for his teammates as they try to move on without him.

However, the Lancers want justice for their fallen comrade.

“Mao ra jud na among gipangayo ug gihulat,” said UV point guard and Pitogo’s close friend Von Lanete. Correspondent Jonas Panerio