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| JV Gallego died in a tragic car accident along NLEX. NCAA (file photo) |
MANILA—Tributes poured in for former San Beda guard JV Gallego after he died in a car crash on Saturday.
Gallego's car rammed into a concrete barrier at one section of the North Luzon Expressway under Meycauyan's jurisdiction.
He was 28.
"To my Batman since Day 1, thank you for being an incredible person, a great teammate, and a true friend from the very beginning. Thank you for every memory, every laugh, and every moment we shared on and off the court. Your kindness, heart, and presence made a difference to all of us. You’ll always be remembered, and you’ll forever be a part of our team and our family. You will be deeply missed. Rest in peace, Batman," said Titan Ultra star Fran Yu, who was a teammate with Gallego at Chiang Kai Shek College during their high school days.
They were also part of Gilas Pilipinas' squad to the FIBA U18 Asia Cup in 2016.
Gallego started playing college ball at National University, but he later moved to San Beda, where he won an NCAA title in 2023.
Going undrafted in the 2023 PBA Draft, he played professionally in a brief spell with Bicol in the MPBL in 2024.
Gallego eventually turned into coaching, landing a job at Colegio San Agustin-Makati, where he coached the academe's high school team.
"Coach JV will be remembered not only for his dedication to the sport of basketball but also for the passion, guidance, and unwavering commitment he shared with every student-athlete whose lives he touched. His kindness, leadership, and love for the Augustinian community have left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire generations of Augustinians," CSA Makati said in a statement.
VP Global, Gallego's talent agency, said in a separate statement, "Beyond the basketball court, JV will be remembered for the life he lived, the people he touched, and the legacy he leaves behind."
An investigation is ongoing regarding the fatal car crash.
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