HE WAS not the go-to-guy. He did not save games for the Tigers, but on a mundane Black Saturday, he saved two lives at the expense of his.
After rescuing the relatives of girlfriend Thereene Aggabao from electrocution, Growling Tigers guard John Lee Apil, 21, died of severe electric shock and burns last April 15 in a resort in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
An exposed live wire in one corner of the swimming pool of the Cortez Farm Resort claimed the life of the Commerce sophomore after he rescued Ivan de Asis, 13, and Jowell Alamo, 20, who were both declared in stable condition after the incident.
Apil’s nephew tried to save him by throwing a towel into the water for him to grab hold of, but the young boy was forced to let go of the other end after experiencing electric shock.
Apil, 21, endured a seven-minute shock and was rushed to a nearby hospital at around 9 p.m., but was proclaimed dead on arrival.
He was laid to rest last April 25 in his hometown of Solana, Cagayan.
“He was a silent and hardworking person,” said Tigers forward Allan Evangelista, who was a close friend of Apil. “Kapag nakita niyang nahihirapan ka, ‘di siya nagdadalawang-isip na tumulong.”
Aggabao echoed Evangelista’s statements, saying Apil always showed concern for his family.
“Dati umuuwi pa siya sa Cagayan kapag weekends para makita lang kami. Darating siya dito ng Sabado ng gabi tapos aalis din ng Linggo ng gabi,” Aggabao said.
A one-way trip from Manila to Cagayan takes at least 10 hours.
“Mabait siya at sincere sa lahat ng sinasabi niya. Malambing din siya at maalalahanin,” she added.
John Lee’s parents, government employees Charles and Ynes Apil, are still in shock after the death of their only son, who was set to train with a Philippine Basketball League team after the Holy Week.
In an interview with ABS-CBN, Ynes said the family is planning to sue Armando Cortez, the owner of the resort and a former president of the Cagayan State University.
Apil was the first student-athlete from his town to play in the UAAP, according to player agent Ed Ponceja, who introduced the former St. Paul University-Tuguegarao standout to then Tigers coach Nel Parado.
Apil was one of the four Tiger rookies last year. His biggest moment with the Tigers came during his birthday (Sept. 3), when they stunned the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 77-73, in the second elimination round. He played for seven minutes, chalking up two rebounds and two assists.
At the end of the season, Apil averaged 0.83 points per game on 40 per cent field goals and 16.67 per cent freethrow shooting on top of 1.33 rebounds an outing as a third stringer for UST. He only played an average of two minutes in the six games he donned the Tiger jersey.
