In the highly-anticipated first UAAP encounter of the season between last year’s finalists De La Salle University and University of the Philippines for Season 87, emotions ran high throughout the 40-minute battle.
However, it was during the third quarter that the tension reached its peak, leading to a controversy that caught everyone’s attention.
At the 2:54 mark of the third frame, the Fighting Maroons were mounting a 25-7 run to trim their deficit to 40-42.
At that moment, a heated exchange occurred between Green Archers assistant coach Gian Nazario and Fighting Maroons lead assistant Tom Chua.
(C) Joaqui Flores
“Actually, nagulat na lang akong nagtatayuan na yung coaches, nagtuturuan na sila, so tumayo na rin ako, nakituro na lang ako,” Nazario quipped.
“But kidding aside, siyempre emotions were really high at that point. I don’t really know honestly what transpired, I’m just there to protect my coaches as well,” he added.
“When everyone was standing up, I wanted to stand up, I wanted to be united with them. Emotions, nadala lang naman tayo lahat eh. I think it was pacified well. Yeah, it’s part of the game.”
The two coaches nearly met at center court before being restrained by their respective teams.
This altercation stemmed from an incident moments earlier at the 3:06 mark, where La Salle head coach Topex Robinson allegedly spat on the left shoulder of UP forward Reyland Torres.
This alleged action became the flashpoint for the tension between Nazario and Chua.
“Dumaan lang kasi ako sa harap ni Coach Topex, hindi ko naman alam bakit niya ako dinuraan. Kita naman ng referee na tinuturo ko na merong pruweba na may dura ‘eh,” Torres recounted following UP’s 56-68 loss to the Green Archers.
He went on to claim that Robinson was the only person nearby, adding, “Oo, si Coach Topex ‘yun, sino lang ba nandoon? Kahit tignan mo sa video, walang nakatayo na ibang coach, dalawa lang kami na dumaan sa kanya.”
However, Robinson vehemently denied the allegations later in the evening.
He acknowledged the verbal exchange between him and Torres as the latter went up to La Salle’s end of the bench but firmly refuted any claims of spitting.
“Yes, me and Torres exchanged a few words, but I did not spit at him,” Robinson clarified, emphasizing that he had only responded to a profanity directed at his team by Torres.
(C) Joaqui Flores
Even in defeat, Torres expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of his teammates and coaches during such a tense moment.
The way the UP squad rallied behind him, both on and off the court, underscored the family-like bond they aim to cultivate within the team.
“Sobrang na-touch ako kasi alam mo ‘yon, yung feeling na nandiyan sila sa likod ko kahit ano mangyari. Sa family kasi, ganon naman, nandiyan sila sa likod ko… Doon mo makikita na kahit sa down side or kasiyahan, sama-sama kayo, lalo na sa ganong mga pangyayari na makikita mo na nandito kami sa likod mo, hindi ka namin iiwan,” Torres shared.
Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde could not help but feel frustrated with what transpired.
“Whatever na mainit na nangyari, hindi naman tungkol sa basketball eh. Yun ang importante dun eh,” Monteverde said. “Kung basketball lang, being competitive, siyempre both sides will give their best. Pero siyempre, pangit kasi may mga ibang bagay na ginagawa sa loob na hindi naman – walang kaugnayan sa laro eh.
“Siyempre on our part, yung mga player siyempre magre-react din in a way, even the bench.”
After the game, UP assistant coach Chua and La Salle lead deputy Caloy Garcia also had an exchange of words.
(C) Joaqui Flores
