Jayson Nocom, team captain of last year’s NCAA basketball finalist Jose Rizal University, was killed in a motorcycle accident early Monday morning in Batangas. He was 23.

The 6-foot-3 forward was reportedly riding on the back of the motorcycle when they hit a tree along a curved road in Lipa City. Nocom was pronounced dead on arrival while the driver, a cousin of his girlfriend, is in critical condition.

The news stunned the JRU community, especially head coach Ariel Vanguardia, who rushed to Lipa City upon learning the news. He also canceled team practice on Monday.

"We're deeply (saddened by) the incident," said Vanguardia. "He was our team captain last year and one of our enforcers at pinakita niya yung leadership sa team, especially last season dahil gusto niyang mag-champion bago umalis."

Vanguardia added that Nocom's body will be brought to JRU first. He will be buried in his hometown of Oriental Mindoro.

In his three-year collegiate career with JRU, Nocom averaged 7.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in 46 games played.

His worthiest performance came in Game 2 of last year's championship series against the Red Lions when he scored 16 points and hauled down seven rebounds in a thrilling 62-60 win that forced a deciding game.

After the NCAA season, he suited up for Burger King for one conference in the Philippine Basketball League before signing up with Oracle Residences squad that won its seventh consecutive title in the season-ending conference last month.

"The PBL condoles with the family of Jayson Nocom for his untimely death," the league said in a statement.

Oracle team owner Mikee Romero was stunned when he learned the news, saying: “He’s great loss to the team. He’s one of the promising players in the league."

"Parang nabulaga ako nung nabalitaan ko," said FEU head coach Glenn Capacio, who coached Nocom at Oracle. "Wala na akong masasabi sa kanya, maganda ang attitude ng bata at malaki ang contributions niya nung nag-champion kami sa PBL."

Nocom was being considered to be included in the lineup of the local franchise being set up by Romero for the newly-formed ASEAN Basketball League that is scheduled to start in October.

“Dapat i-line-up namin siya sa team,” said Harbour Centre manager Erick Arejola.