Alas volleyball player dies in Cadiz road crash

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – A rising volleyball player died in a road accident just two days after celebrating his 21st birthday in Barangay Zone 2, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday.

The Alas Pilipinas Volleyball Team mourned the death of its member, Ike Andrew Barilea, a native of Cadiz City, in a Facebook post.

Police Lieutenant Mansueto De Jose Jr., deputy chief of the Cadiz City Police Station, said Barilea was riding his motorcycle and had signaled to turn left when he was hit by a tailing Ceres Liner bus shortly after noon.

A passenger of the bus told police that the 44-year-old driver may have miscalculated the distance between the bus and Barilea’s motorcycle, resulting in the collision.

Barilea fell from his motorcycle and sustained multiple injuries.

He was rushed to a private hospital in the city, where he was later pronounced dead.

De Jose said Barilea was heading toward the city proper, while the bus was en route to the Escalante City terminal when the accident occurred past 12 p.m.

“The court feels emptier, and our hearts heavier. Rest easy, ALAS IKE BARILEA. Thank you for the laughter, the memories, and the heart you gave to the team,” the Alas Pilipinas Volleyball Team posted.

“Heaven gained an angel, but we lost a piece of ours. Fly high, our dear ALAS,” it added.

De Jose said the bus driver was released from police custody on Wednesday after the lapse of the 18-hour reglementary detention period.

Vallacar Transit Inc., operator of the Ceres Liner, said it has extended assistance to Barilea’s family and asked the public to respect their privacy.