MANILA, Philippines – Jeric Teng hopes his younger brother Jeron Teng can come back the same as he was before.

The Alaska Aces rookie – who got stabbed along with former La Salle teammates Norbert Torres and Thomas Torres – suffered “deep cuts” and needed to be operated on twice at the St. Luke’s Medical Center following the attack at a Bonifacio Global City club in Taguig on Sunday, June 3. (READ: Jeron Teng, 2 ex-La Salle players stabbed in BGC)

“‘Yun ang kinakatakot ko, baka may lingering effect ‘yung mga saksak sa kaniya. Hopefully not,” Jeric told television reporters. 

(That is what I’m afraid of, that his wounds would have a lingering effect that would affect his PBA career. Hopefully not.) 

The older Teng said his brother is lucky that his vital organs were not damaged, but the family intends to file charges of frustrated homicide and less serious physical injuries against the suspects. 

“Talaga, definitely [we’ll file charges]. I believe sila Thomas [and Norbert] din,” said Jeric. 

(Definitely we’ll file charges. I believe Thomas and Norbert will also file charges.)

According to the police report, the 3 former La Salle players “heard the suspects calling them.” They confronted the suspects – identified as Edmar Lacanlale and Williard Basili – and it “resulted [in] a heated argument.”

“Allegedly, the victims were punched and stabbed by the suspects using a ring knife (not recovered) that resulted [in] their injuries. The incident was pacified by the arresting officers and was able to arrest the suspects,” the police report said.

The stabbing happened just hours after the Teng brothers faced off for the first time in the PBA where Jeron’s Alaska defeated Jeric’s GlobalPort, 109-103. (READ: Teng brothers meet in PBA for the first time)

The suspects claimed they brought out the ring knife, the weapon used in the stabbing, as self-defense. Jeric, though, refused to believe their story.

“Kapatid ko ang tagal ko nang kakilala ‘yan, ni isang track record, hindi naman nakikipagaway ‘yan,” said the older Teng.

(I know my brother, you can see his track record and not once was he involved in a fight.) 

“Talagang napagtripan sila. Minumura ata sila ganun tapos ayun napagtripan na lang. For me, why would you bring a knife, ‘di ba? Kung sinasabi mong self defense, dapat bubugbugin mo na lang ‘yung mukha nila.” 

(They just got picked on. The suspects cursed at them and they were just picked on. For me, why would you bring a knife? If you are saying that you did it for self-defense, they should have just beaten him up.)

“If you see how they are right now, it’s unbelievable. Mga bata lang to. ‘Yung mga sumaksak sa kanila, may edad na,” said Jeric.

(If you see how they are right now, it’s unbelievable. They are just kids compared to the ones who stabbed them.)  – Rappler.com