Ex-cager finds life after hoops

MANILA, Philippines –  With his budding basketball career shortened by four surgeries on his right knee, former La Salle cager Marko Batricevic decided to concentrate on his studies and eventually earned a marketing degree that he now uses in managing a popular Eastern European restaurant in San Juan.

Batricevic, 24, was recruited from Serbia to play for La Salle Greenhills in the NCAA juniors by consul Jack Rodriguez. He arrived with three other Serbian teeners, including highly-regarded junior star Buksan Gagovic, in 2003. While his three companions left Manila within a month, the 6-5 forward stayed on and played a season in the NCAA, claiming Rookie and Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2004-05.

After establishing residency, Batricevic would’ve made his debut with the Green Archers in the UAAP seniors in 2006-07 but that was the season when La Salle was suspended. Then, Batricevic suffered a spate of injuries and underwent four surgeries, including a notchplasty, in two years. He sat out the 2007-08 season and played only a handful of games in 2008-09 before hanging up his sneakers.

Batricevic said it wasn’t the end of the world when he realized his basketball days were over.

“No regrets,” said Batricevic. “My primary goal in coming to the Philippines was to get a good education. I played basketball in my hometown of Vrbas and also trained in Slovenia but basketball was just my way to earn a good education.”

Last season would’ve been Batricevic’s final year of eligibility as a varsity player. But with his right knee ravaged by two ACL and meniscus tears, he closed the basketball chapter in his life.

“I’ll always be grateful to La Salle,” he said. “I lived a year with the Christian Brothers in Greenhills. And I’ve lived with my guardians, Tito Perry and Tita Vangie Uy, for six years. I’m thankful to Brothers Rolly, Bernie, Felipe, Gene and Bobby and Nongnong Calanog for giving me the opportunity to earn a college degree. I learned a lot from my high school coach Mon Amador, college coach Franz Pumaren and my best friends and teammates like Badir Malabes, Peejay Barua and Simon Atkins.”

Last July, Batricevic opened a 26-seat restaurant called the Balkan Express in a 50-square meter corner lot along Jose Abad Santos Street in Little Baguio, San Juan. His older brother Martin, 25, later arrived from Serbia to take over as chef. Martin has a hotel and restaurant management degree from the University of Novi Sad and worked two years at Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, serving celebrities like Boston Celtics star Ray Allen and actress Meg Ryan at the Waterstreet Restaurant in the Harbor View Hotel and the Atlantic Restaurant.

The Batricevic brothers work seven days a week in the Balkan Express from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and are hands-on in making sure every dish is prepared to perfection. None of the food is pre-cooked so every meal is fresh out of the kitchen. The house specialties are stuffed pljeskavica or grilled beef, cevapcici or grilled minced meat, goulash and balkanski kebab.

“We serve healthy food, grilled or stewed, not fried,” said Batricevic. “We like to think that our customers are happy with our food and service.” Among the celebrities who patronize the Balkan Express are Ai Ai de las Alas, Mark Gil, Rajko Toroman (who visits at least once a week), Mac-Mac Cardona, Chris Ross, Shawn Weinstein, K Brosas, the Smart Gilas team and Max Eigenmann. The restaurant has also become a favorite place for Macedonians, Croats, Serbs and Balkans who live in Manila. Executives from the Asian Development Bank come often. The other night, Toroman celebrated his birthday with a dinner at Batricevic’s restaurant and his guests included PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, Maynilad president Ricky Vargas, Smart Gilas team manager Frankie and Olen Lim, Air21 team manager Allan Gregorio and the SBP’s Butch Antonio.

Batricevic said he owes his service orientation to his parents Momcilo and Svetlana who own a five-room inn, restaurant and an apartment for rent in Serbia.

“My mother was in Manila for three months last year, helping us with the restaurant,” said Batricevic. “It was her second time to visit. My father has never come over because he’s just too busy with the family business. My girlfriend Adriana is finishing her law studies and will join me in Manila. We’ve been together since I was 17 and we’ll probably settle here.”

Batricevic said he’s lucky that security is not a problem in his restaurant. “Mayor Guia (Gomez) lives just down the street and President Estrada’s son Jojo is a close friend,” he said. “Besides, the barangay tanods are very strict in our area and a lot of policemen live nearby. We’re friends with our neighbors, too.”

Batricevic said his parents are proud of how he has turned out. “With my La Salle education, I’ve learned to be entrepreneurial,” he said. “My brother and I are on our own. Our business is doing well and we’re now in the process of applying for a space at Rockwell. If we’re able to move to Rockwell, we’ll offer a full menu with desserts and an ambiance that’s uniquely Eastern European with music and interiors.”

Batricevic said he has little time to follow basketball on TV. “Our Serbian basketball heroes like Bodiroga, Paspalj and Divac are now retired,” he said. “Coach Rajko is very popular in Serbia as a player and coach. He is very well regarded.”

When the next UAAP season begins, I’ll try to watch some of the games and cheer for La Salle.”