UE’s Batiller plays through loss of loved one

Edison Batiller. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

A death of a loved one usually keeps one down, but one spitfire guard from University of the East found some spiritual guidance off it.

Von Batiller went nuts against defending champions National University in the Red Warriors’ 76-71 victory while playing through the grief of losing a close family member.

READ: UE upsets NU for first win in UAAP Season 78

His cousin, someone whom Batiller treated him as a brother, died of heart attack. He was 38.

Batiller had to go to his cousin’s wake in General Santos City before playing for the Red Warriors on Saturday.

“I just said a little prayer, ‘kuya please guide me,'” Batiller said of the person who he said influenced him in the game of basketball.

Batiller’s prayer worked as he scored 14 of his 23 points in the third quarter to led the Red Warriors 28-9 onslaught.

The UE guard said that while cousin may not be his immediate family, he practically grew up under his influence.