MANILA, Philippines – During the UAAP Season 78 senior’s basketball matchup between the Ateneo Blue Eagles and Adamson Soaring Falcons last Saturday, October 17, the action intensified when Cebu-native guard Joseph Nalos was assessed with an unsportsmanlike foul on Vince Tolentino during the 5:23 mark of the third period.
Nalos leaped to block a shot attempt by Tolentino, who pump-faked and stayed on the ground. As the Ateneo forward subsequently attempted his layup, his head was dragged down by Nalos while he was descending from the air.
Tolentino’s attempt went in, plus the foul, to make the count 60-47 in favor of Ateneo, but emotions escalated afterwards when Blue Eagles team captain Kiefer Ravena shoved Nalos to the ground in defense of his teammate.
Nalos was ejected from the contest because of his foul, Ravena was slapped with an unsportsmanlike foul, and Ateneo went on to win the game and improve to 5-4.
Talking to Rappler on Tuesday, October 20, about what transpired, the apologetic Adamson guard claims that he didn’t mean to hurt Tolentino during the play.
“Hindi ko naman po talaga intention na saktan si Vince. Alanganin na kasi ako nun, kaya yung paa ko nasa balikat na niya, kaya kumapit ako. Kaso lang, ulo niya yung nahawakan ko,” Nalos said.
(It wasn’t my intention to harm Vince. I was in an awkward position, because my foot was on his shoulder, which was why I held on. Unfortunately, I grabbed his head.)
“After that incident, alam ko na talaga na ma e-eject ako ako. Tangap ko yun kasi mali, pero hindi ko talaga intention yun.”
(I knew after the incident that I would be ejected. I accept that because what I did was wrong, but it really wasn’t my intention.)
Nalos, a second year player, also states that he had hoped to get up right away and apologize to Tolentino, but decided to walk away from the scene after getting shoved by Ravena.
“Tatayo sana ako para mag sorry kaso tinulak ako ni Kiefer kaya lumayo nalang ako sakanila,” said Nalos, who did add: “Hindi ko naman siya ma-blame kasi bumagsak din teammate niya.”
(I was about to get up to say sorry but Kiefer pushed me, which was why I left. I can’t blame him because his teammate fell.)
Speaking with media after the contest, Ravena, Ateneo's team captain, said the push was a “spur of the moment" reaction.
“I apologized to (Adamson) coach Mike [Fermin] and (assistant) coach Vince [Hizon] for the incident. It’s just on-court instincts. Baka hindi rin sinasadya (maybe he didn’t do it on purpose). Probably he just broke his fall.”
Nalos also says he’s apologized to his coaching staff for his transgression and says his head coach understands his side.
“Inexplain ko kay coach yung nang yari. Naiintindihan naman niya kasi nakita rin niya na alanganin talaga ako eh,” said Nalos.
(I explained what happened to coach. He understands because he saw that I was in an awkward position.)
“Nagtataka lang ako why ang tagal tinanong nang media ang side ko,” he said.
(I’m just wondering why it took so long for the media to get my side.)
Nalos reiterated that he hopes to apologize to Tolentino, as well as to the Ateneo team.
“Hindi kami nakapag-usap eh. If bigyan nang chance, gusto ko manghingi nang paumanhin kay Vince and the rest of Ateneo. Gusto ko lang linawin na wala talaga akong intention na gawin yun.”
(We weren’t able to talk. If I’m given the chance, I want to ask for forgiveness from Vince and from the rest of Ateneo. I just want to clarify that I really didn’t intend to hurt him.)
Nalos’ Soaring Falcons and Tolentino’s Blue Eagles are back in action on Wednesday, October 21, but the Cebu native will have to wait to offer his apologies, since league commissioner Rebo Saguisag suspended him for his team’s upcoming game.
“Per Rule VI.B, an athlete who is thrown out of or ejected from any game is automatically suspended in the immediate succeeding game,” said Saguisag, according to The Philippine Star.
The Soaring Falcons are set to take on the NU Bulldogs while the Blue Eagles face the UST Growling Tigers. – Rappler.com