A 17-year-old boy in Sorsogon died after hurting himself against a wall when a basketball practice took an unexpected turn evening on June 9, 2025.
According to Barangay Captain Girly Daz, the boy had just returned from the opening of a local tournament in Pilar, and decided to continue practicing at the covered court in Sitio Tinago, Barangay San Rafael.
“’Yung bata daw, galing doon sa Pilar, parang nag-opening daw sa Mayor’s Cup. Gari nag-select sila, 'yung nag-bunutan, pag-uwi daw naglaro, parang nag-exercise... mag-alas-7 yata ng banggi or 6,” Daz told GMA Regional TV News.
Witnesses told barangay officials that when the boy tried to dunk the ball, the structure to which the ring was attached gave in and collapsed. The ring’s backboard broke as it hit the ground.
The structure hit the boy's feet, and the child ended up crashing into a wall where he hit his head.
“Pagbagsak niya, ‘yung ulo niya ang naka-[tama] sa pader,” Daz said.
“Pagbagsak ng ring, yung bata hindi naman talaga nabagsakan daw. Doon daw naka-[tumba 'yung ring] sa katabi lang [ng bata]... 'yung mga bubog baga [ng ring] nasugatan raw sa mga paa kang bata, pero su ulo talaga po, hindi naman daw talaga na-[ipit] sa ring,” Daz clarified.
The victim was rushed to a hospital in Pilar but was declared dead on arrival.
Daz said the basketball ring was reportedly old and was supposed to be replaced but the project was halted due to the recent midterm elections.
“Papagawa na talaga yan po, kasi dalawa po yan na sitio na nire-request ng kabataan... ang nire-request nila 'yung ring,” Daz said.
She said the boy’s family is saddened but holds no one accountable.
“Nakausap ko rin 'yung pamilya, sabi [nila] sa akin... wala naman talaga ngayang masisisi, kasi talaga ngaya 'yung bata ngaya mahilig ngaya sa laro,” Daz said.
She added that the father had invited his son to go fishing that night but the boy chose to stay and play.
“Gusto daa ngani ito isama ng tatay na maglaot sa dagat, hindi daw sumama kasi gusto nga daw mag-exercise, maglaro,” she added.
The boy was supposed to enter Grade 11 this school year.
