CAGAYAN de Oro's “Mr. Quality Minutes” in basketball Nelson Jamito Nuñal, 35, will be laid to rest Tuesday, January 15, at 1 p.m. at a public cemetery in Bolonsiri, Barangay Camaman-an.
"In basketball kon physical na kaayo ang dula masikhan mobalos di gyod siya magpautang. Pero unsaon sa bala man gikuha iyang kinabuhi," the victim's grieving mother Rosalinda said during Nuñal’s wake at their house in Sitio Macanhan, Barangay Carmen.
Nuñal left his boarding house in Iligan City at about 9 p.m. of January 9. His body was found by Army soldiers at about 1 a.m. Thursday, January 10, near a National Power Corporation tower in Baloi, Lanao del Norte.
His body sustained two bullet wounds from a 9mm pistol, one on his back and another just below his nape.
Nuñal’s common-law wife Karen said his motorcycle, helmet and wallet were missing.
"Only his mobile phone was spared kay iya mang gitago ilalom sa iyang pants. Kon wala nalabyan sa army vehicle unya wala nabilin ang celfon sa iyang lawas pag kontak sa amo looy kaayo lisod makita siya dadtong dapita," said Karen, 43 years old.
Karen said some residents in the area reportedly heard four gunshots on the night of January 9.
Karen said Nuñal was last seen driving his motorcycle with a certain Regie Joy Tamparong as passenger.
"Daghan nakakita nga sila ang nag-uban adtong gabhi-ona. That woman has kids pero naila namo siya ni Nelson tungod sa among gamay nga negosyo nga tomboy and easygoing maong nasuod sila," Karen said.
Nuñal was a former Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori School (SHJMS) varsity standout.
He was also a varsity player in college at Acsat-Cagayan de Oro and then briefly with Acsat-Manila in the company of Harvey Igtos, Carlo Ebdao, Ritchie Muñoz, Contreras, Calang and the Sanchez kin, PJ and Michael, among others.
Nuñal had earned the moniker "Mr. Quality Minutes" by a local paper for his tenacious defense and do-it-all attitude on the rugged court.
"Maayo siya mo-discover og fellow talents ang uban na teammates gyod niya sa Acsat," said Nuñal's neighbor and fellow Eagle Julius Gary Mejos.
After college, Nuñal got employed with PhilHealth Cagayan de Oro before his transfer to Oroquieta City.
He later relocated to Iligan with long-time girlfriend Karen and engaged in a calamansi juice business while serving as habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) driver.
"He's very friendly walay pili bata, matigulang o maskin unsa klase na tao iyang tagdon daghan siya'g na-amigo sa Iligan. Kampante, kumpyansa mao sab ang hinungdan natingala mi'g dako nganong napaingon sila sa Baloi nga layo naman `to nga lugar kon mag-motor lang from Iligan," a puzzled Karen told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
Police have yet to determine whether the killing of Nuñal was a case of highway robbery, or personal grudge, or drugs-related.