MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
La Salle moved on from the alleged “spit-or-not?” incident that dominated the newest dialog on the UAAP Season 87 males’s basketball match.
It didn’t take lengthy for College of the Philippines (UP) to do the identical.
Article continues after this commercial
“I let that go,” mentioned UP’s Reyland Torres, one of many prime figures of the controversy the place Archers coach Topex Robinson was accused of spitting on the Maroons standout, who allegedly whispered not-so-sweet nothings when he handed in entrance of the La Salle mentor.
“[It was time] for me to place that apart,” Torres added. “The group is way more essential and every of my teammates are extra essential [than the incident]. That’s over now. We’ve got a objective as a group and that’s what we’ll concentrate on.”
The Maroons did refocus on basketball, dismantling College of Santo Tomas (UST) with a giant run to start out the fourth quarter en path to an 83-73 victory on Sunday.
Article continues after this commercial
The day earlier than, La Salle additionally turned the web page on the problem, halting College of the East’s red-hot streak with a 77-68 resolution.
Robinson additionally made peace with the incident.
“I ask for apologies from the child for what I did … and I hope we get the possibility to overlook this [because] it’s already getting tiresome [listening to] accusations from different individuals,” Robinson mentioned.
Each groups did depart slightly nudge, although, earlier than strolling off the incident.
For UP coach Goldwin Monteverde, it was a message that appeared to settle probably the most hotly debated query out of the incident: What transpired between Robinson and Torres?
“I’m very assured that the UAAP can be very strict [the next time around] to ensure that there shall be no extra spitting incidents or one thing like that in video games,” Monteverde mentioned after main the Maroons to their seventh win in eight video games.
“What’s essential is the well-being of gamers, of Reyland, and hopefully, one thing like this doesn’t occur once more.”
Calling out fan
Robinson, in the meantime, refused to let one incident cross with out acknowledging it, calling out a fan who apparently berated him after the sport in entrance of his household.
“You shamed me in entrance of my household [and] in entrance of [several] individuals, you accused me,” Robinson mentioned, addressing the fan as a sure “Mrs. Villanueva.” “The explanation why I couldn’t reply [your accusations] is as a result of it wasn’t me who did [whatever you said]. I hope that once we see one another, additionally, you will discover the braveness to inform me that you just have been incorrect [with your accusations].”
Each groups are actually tied at 7-1 (win-loss) information, with La Salle formally the No. 1 group by advantage of that 68-56 grasp class by the Archers within the first spherical that was overshadowed by the incident between Robinson and Torres.
Robinson and Torres obtained stern warnings from the league, avoiding suspension after the investigation had no conclusive proof concerning the alleged spitting incident and the participant’s alleged profane language towards the La Salle coach that triggered the spat.
“I feel [the decision of the UAAP] was OK,” Torres mentioned. “I assume they studied the incident totally they usually have been honest. Regardless of the resolution is, I’m grateful.”
“The UAAP made the choice,” Monteverde mentioned. “[W]e’ll abide by it and I’m certain [from] our [view], they didn’t simply provide you with any resolution. They studied it nicely, they met over it. We respect that. What occurred has occurred.”
La Salle subsequent faces UST on Wednesday, hoping to construct on its four-game successful run, which is now the longest lively streak within the UAAP.
UP, in the meantime, returns to the courtroom on Oct. 20, when it battles NU. INQ
