UNIVERSITY of the Visayas’ Franz Arong admitted he made a mistake and failed to control his emotions as the Cesafi semifinal game against University of San Carlos slipped from their hands.
“May mali din naman ako dun at inaamin ko yun. I should have controlled my emotions more especially since we’re teammates,” Arong told Spin.ph.
Arong said that he got caught up in the moment as he watched teammate Jeffakis Aguara give up two points, allowing the Warriors to extend their lead to 55-65 with half a minute left in the game at Cebu Coliseum on Tuesday.
The Green Lancers guard shoved their import and nearly came to blows. USC won, 61-67, and advanced to the title series, while UV is left to play the bronze medal match.
[See Chaotic end to UV's title defense in Cebu as Green Lancers teammates nearly come to blows]
“Nakita ko kasi na pina-dunk nya lang ang import ng USC. Sabi ko di pwede yun lalo na kasi nga kami ang champions. We should play like champions and defend the title until the final buzzer,” said Arong in a conversation on Wednesday evening.
“At that time, walo lang yung lamang nila at tsaka may oras pa naman na natitira so may chance pa di ba? So sana dumepensya pa rin siya,” added Arong, known for his toughness and hard-nosed defense against the league’s best perimeter players.
Arong admitted that he has yet to speak with Aguara about the incident nor was it brought up in the dugout after the game. He bared that head coach Felix Belano just led the team in prayer and everyone went their separate ways afterwards.
He said he expects to be summoned by the team’s manager and UV assistant vice-president Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas and will accept the sanctions.
[See Greg Slaughter, other UV alumni express dismay after Green Lancers fight each other on court]
With their title reign over, Arong is not letting up, keeping his eyes on third place honors when they face the loser of the semifinal match-up between Southwestern University and the University of San Jose-Recoletos.