Ibanes was being accused of causing Beermen giant June Mar Fajardo to hurt his left knee after a rebound play midway in the third quarter. Fajardo held on to his left knee and had to be stretchered off.
Replay showed Ibanes’ back leaning against Fajardo, before the latter’s left knee buckled.
But Ibanes later on explained he was only trying to find the best position for a rebound.
“I saw my teammate with a shot so I tried to put myself in the best position to box out, that’s it,” he said. “I just tried to be in the best position. I am sorry that’s what happened.”
Fajardo was unable to return to the game and as of posting time, he is still at the St. Lukes hospital in Global City, awaiting the MRI result.
Ibanes wished Fajardo the best, and added it was basically an unfortunate rebound play which led to an injury.
“Nangyayari yun eh. It’s basketball, that’s it. Sana talaga okay siya,” Ibanes said.
“I know he is there. Syempre alam mong ay tao doon, alam mong si June Mar yun, kailangan mong bumox-out. Ako, rerebound ako, so sorry it happened,” he added.
The Beermen eventually won via a strong second half, to book a finals date anew with the Alaska Aces starting on Sunday, January 17 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
“I just tried to be there and I got the rebound after that because I was in the best position na kaya ko. I cannot emphasize enough how sorry I am,” Ibanes concluded.
