Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

3x3 Basketball

Bacolod’s Chris Lalata apologizes to Nueva’s Juan GDL for Chooks 3×3 incident


CALAMBA, LAGUNA — Just to be clear, there is no bad blood between Nueva Ecija’s Juan Gomez de Liaño and Bacolod’s Chris Lalata.

The two young players met on Thursday night to clear the air following the controversial incident between them in the first leg of the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup inside the INSPIRE Sports Academy.

From the start, it was apparent Lalata felt bad about what happened. “Hindi ko intensyon na sasaktan ‘yung kalaban. Hindi ko intensyon na manggulang. Nag-sorry talaga ako sa kanya,” he said in the meeting also attended by league commissioner Eric Altamirano and technical head Hector Villanueva.

In the Leg 1 group stages, the Rice Vanguards and Master Sardines were going at it when Juan GDL’s right foot landed on Lalata’s right foot after a made layup with 5:15 left in the game.

The 20-year-old crumpled to the floor and had to be helped by league official Anton Altamirano back to the Nueva Ecija bench.

Chooks-to-Go-Pilipinas-3X3-Leg-1-Bacolod-vs-Nueva-Ecija-Lalataand-GDL-2 Bacolod's Chris Lalata apologizes to Nueva's Juan GDL for Chooks 3x3 incident 3x3 Basketball Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 News  - philippine sports news

He was ultimately ruled out of the first leg, and will now sit out Leg 2 to heal his ankle sprain.

Juan GDL had no doubt that Lalata had no bad intentions, but couldn’t help but question why the incident had to happen. “I know Chris. He’s a nice guy. We were teammates in the D-League. I just want to understand why he needed to box out when the play already ended,” he said as the two played in Marinerong Pilipino.

For his part, Altamirano agreed that it looked like Lalata intruded on GDL’s landing spot. “Naiintindihan kong wala kang intention. Ang na-violate mo siguro is ‘yung landing spot ni Juan,” he said.

#ReadMore  GAB says there's a loophole for collegiate players to play in pro leagues

1-Chooks-to-Go-Pilipinas-3X3-Leg-1-GDL-Injury-Meeting-7 Bacolod's Chris Lalata apologizes to Nueva's Juan GDL for Chooks 3x3 incident 3x3 Basketball Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 News  - philippine sports news

With that, the Chooks 3×3 commissioner told Lalata that this will be his final warning. If and when another incident does occur, there will be disciplinary action.

In the end, Lalata remained apologetic and promised to do better. “Juan, sorry sa nangyari. Alam mo naman idol din kita. Sorry,” he said before the two bumped fists in a sign of forgiveness.

Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

Defending champion Pampanga went into overtime to edge Nueva Ecija, 83-80, on Wednesday, setting up a North Division title clash with San Juan in...

Basketball

Defending champion Pampanga held off Nueva Ecija’s final push to clinch Game One, 76-73, in their North Division semifinal series in the Maharlika Pilipinas...

Basketball

Nueva Ecija quashed Pasay’s final assault to secure a 75-72 victory in Game Two on Wednesday, setting up a semifinal showdown with Pampanga in...

Basketball

Nueva Ecija subdued Pasay, 81-72, on Tuesday in Game 1 of their quarterfinal playoff in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Sixth Season at the...

3x3 Basketball

A new era for Philippine 3×3 basketball will begin at the 2024 FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, taking place from March 27-31, 2024, in Singapore....

Basketball

Madness descends upon the SM Mall of Asia Arena from March 18 to 24, as 32 teams battle for supremacy in the 2024 Smart-NBTC...

Basketball

The East Asia Super League (EASL) Final Four receives a Philippine touch as Rhenz Abando suits up for Anyang Jung Kwan Jang in the...

Basketball

Just a month before the 2024 MPBL season begins, Jerson Cabiltes and Nueva Ecija have ended their long partnership. Cabiltes has parted ways with...

Advertisement