PRAYERS and support poured in for former PBA player Boybits Victoria on Tuesday after being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder that could cause paralysis.
Former University of the Philippines stalwart Bing Victoria posted on Facebook the condition of his brother, who is currently confined at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the San Juan De Dios hospital.
Bing said his brother is suffering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare but serious autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks healthy nerve cells in the peripheral nervous system, leading to weakness and numbness of the body.
Currently, Boybits is on a ventilator/respirator to help him breathe until he can do it on his own, said the younger Victoria.
“He is still in the critical stage and your prayers, combined with our prayers will help reach God’s loving mercy and healing towards Boybits,” said Bing in his post.
Victoria, 45, won Rookie of the Year honor in 1994 after a splendid college career at San Beda which led to him being picked at third overall by Swift in the draft that same season.
He was part of the RFM franchise that came a conference short of completing a grand slam the following year after earlier winning the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup, respectively.
He played for the RFM franchise until 1998 when he was traded to San Miguel, where he’ll play a back-up role to now FEU coach and Barangay Ginebra deputy Olsen Racela in the Beermen’s championship run from 1999 to 2001.
Upon his retirement, Victoria would delve into broadcasting, serving as panelist for both the radio and tv coverage of the league.
The former point guard even sat as radio panelist of the PBA game two weeks ago and just last month, attended the reunion of the San Miguel Beermen under former coach Jong Uichico to raise funds for fellow teammate Joey Mente.
His last known roles were as head of sales of Victoria Sports, an indoor sports club based in Quezon City.
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