Former UE football midfielder passes away at 23

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Another sad news for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

After former UAAP Best Pitcher and Finals Most Valuable Player Jerome Yanson passed away just a month ago, Clark Owen Bagsic, one of the best midfielders at the University of the East (UE) football team had, suffered the same fate as he died at the age of 23.

The cause of death up to this date is still unknown with his family also choosing not to disclose the specific details.

“Super nalungkot and nanghihinayang since alam kong kaka-graduate lang niya this year and alam kong napakabuting tao ng bata yun, matalino and mapagmahal sa mga kaibigan kapatid and parents niya,” said UE coach Fitch Arboleda.

Bagsic just graduated from UE with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology course at the Caloocan campus and was one of the most notable student-athletes.

“Yung campus niya kasi is sa UE Caloocan pa kaya yung dedication niya sa team and training sobrang taas kasi before and after training talagang biyahe pa siya from UE Caloocan to UE Recto and for four years. Wala akong naalalang nag reklamo sa akin or sumagot sagot sa akin,” added Arboleda.

During his playing years, Bagsic became one of the focal points on offense for the UE football team as he was the designated main midfielder.

Pairing up with national team standout Mar Diano, the 1-2 punch combination provided the spark that UE needed in the stretch that they had been hunting for a final four appearance.

“Yung game namin vs FEU ng Season 80, first season ko sa UAAP bilang coach, yung pass nya kay Mar Diano sobrang ganda and na goal naman. Isa yan sa mga hindi ko makalimutang pasa na nagawa niya,” shared Arboleda.