By Joaquin Luis E. Quesada

Far Eastern University (FEU) Booter’s Kieth Absalon died in a ‘landmine explosion’ on Sunday morning in Purok 4, Barangay Anas, Masbate City. He was 21.

His cousin Nolven Absalon, 40, was also killed in the incident. While 16-year-old Chrisbin Daniel, Nolven's son, was the only survivor of the incident and is under treatment at Masbate Provincial Hospital.

According to multiple media reports, the victims were cycling around the area when a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) exploded and the bomb’s fragments hit them.

FEU mourned the death of the football star, “The FEU Tamaraw Community is deeply saddened by the passing of the young Tamaraw. Kieth had a decorated high school career, as he was part of historic 10-peat championships in the Junior’s Division.”

While former FEU assistant coach DongGyu Jung shared with FEU Advocate, “[Kieth] was [the] best talent I’ve ever seen.”

“He was one of the boys who asked me for some extra training,” he added.

The 21-year-old footballer was also part of Malaya Football Club, who then extended their condolences to his family through a statement posted on its official Facebook page.

“Our hearts are broken as we bid farewell to another of our own… A born leader, follower of the highest order, a kind, gentle, and respectful soul," it read.

Absalon won the Most Valuable Player award back in 78th season of University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). He became part of the Philippine national team that competed in the 2018 ASEAN Football Federation U-19 Championship in Indonesia.

He was also one of the starting players for the men's senior football team of FEU in UAAP season 82 before the tourney was cut down due to pandemic.

(Photo courtesy of The UAAP)