Ian Sangalang denied the allegations that he intentionally poked the eye of Aaron Fuller, which resulted in a torn cornea for the Rain or Shine import.
The Magnolia center said he would never cause harm to others as he addressed the heat he’s been getting since the incident that happened early in Game 2 of their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal duel last September 27.
“Hinding-hindi ko magagawa ‘yun,” he told reporters moments after their 129-100 Game 4 victory on Tuesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“Hindi ko kayang manakit ng kapwa player ko. Alam ko na nagtatrabaho rin siya para sa pamilya niya. Pare-parehas lang kaming nagtatrabaho dito para sa pamilya namin. Para manakit ng player, wala sa bokabularyo ko.”
Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao was the very first to accuse Sangalang of poking Fuller on his left eye, which caused the latter to sit out the remainder of that game in Laguna which they eventually lost, 121-69.
The veteran big man explained that it was purely accidental, though, adding that it would be impossible to do such an act on purpose.
“Para sa akin, aksidente ‘yung nangyari. Kasi hindi ko sasadyain na gawin ‘yun, na tusukin sa mata. Kahit sino alam naman eh, na kahit sadyain mo ‘yun, mahirap ‘yun. ‘Di mo matutusok ‘yung mata during basketball,” he said.
“Kung sasadyain ‘yun, mahirap ‘yun. Walang makakagawa nun na sasadyain mong tusukin sa mata,” the 32-year-old Kapampangan furthered.
In addressing claims that he intended to stick his fingers out, he said: “Sabi nila nakaganun daw yung daliri ko, siyempre ‘di ko rin naman pwedeng maging closed fist, mas mahirap ‘yun. Pwede akong ma-thrown out ‘pag tumama.”
“Kasi hinampas niya ‘yung kamay ko, pataas ako, so napigilan ‘yung braso ko. Kaya ‘di ko naangat ‘yung kamay ko. Kitang-kita naman, hinard foul ako. So napigilan lang ‘yung kamay ko kaya dumiretso papunta roon,” he added.
Sangalang said that he was unaware of how bad the hit was, and was left surprised that Fuller was no longer able to return to the game.
“Nagulat ako nung di na siya nakabalik … Kasi nung game, wala talaga akong naramdaman na kahit ano e. Kasi inisip ko lang na na-hard foul ako. And then, parang naano na ‘yung bola, nawalan tas natamaan ko na pala siya.”
Sangalang, though, made it clear that all is well between him and Fuller, a returning import, despite the statements made by the outspoken Guiao.
“Yes. Kanina nagusap kami sa loob. Kasi tinatanong niya pa kung anong nangyari kay Zavier [Lucero], bakit hindi raw siya naglalaro. Ayun, sinagot ko naman siya. Kasi mabait din naman ‘yung import na ‘yun,” he said.
“Alam niya rin kasi ‘yung basketball, na ganun talaga. Na anytime, pwede kang masaktan,” he added. “Kasi ako nga, nasasaktan din naman ako e, pero hindi ko sinasabi na sinadya mo ‘kong tirahin kasi part ng basketball ‘yan.”
Asked if he and Guiao have had the chance to talk things over, Sangalang admitted that they have yet to. He also took the time to reiterate that he will never hurt others, and would want his reputation to speak for himself.
“‘Di pa kami naguusap eh,” he said. “Pero kung sinasabi niyang sinadya ko ‘yun, para sa’kin, hindi. Hinding-hindi ko talaga sasadyain manusok ng mata. Kasi sobrang tagal ko na sa PBA, wala akong issue na bad boy ako or what.
“Kahit tirahin niyo nga ako, ‘di ako papalag eh. ‘Di ba?” he added.
“Kahit ako ‘yung tirahin niyo nang tirahin, ‘di ako papalag. Laro lang ako. Ganun lang ako.”
