A 32-year-old man was stabbed to death with a katana after a heated argument over a basketball bet in Barangay Talang, San Carlos City, Pangasinan.

Police said the victim played basketball with the suspect’s son, but after the game, the boy did not pay his bet.

This led to an argument, which escalated quickly when the suspect intervened and attacked the victim.

“After ng hindi pagkakasunod, hindi nagbayad ‘yung anak ng suspek, nagkagulo sila at doon na sumingit ‘yung ama ng bata [para] patayin ‘yung biktima natin,” PCpt. McKinley Mendoza, Duty Officer of San Carlos City Police Station, said.

The victim suffered multiple stab wounds to the stomach and was rushed to the hospital where he died, eventually.

After the attack, the suspect fled on a motorcycle with his family to a barangay nearby.

The victim’s relatives are demanding justice.

“Hustisya lang naman ang gusto namin. Pagbayaran lang nila ‘yung ginawa nila sa pamangkin ko,” Aladin Bulatao, the victim’s uncle, said.

His grandmother, Teng Bulatao, also vowed to seek accountability.

“Hindi kami papayag na hindi sila mapanagot sa ginawa nila sa apo ko. Makulong sila nang habambuhay,” she said.

Police are still searching for the suspect and his family.