ARQ BUILDERS-Lapu Lapu team owner Jason Arquisola claimed coaches and players of the Siquijor Mystics egged his players to “run up the score” during their controversial game in the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup on Wednesday.
Arquisola issued a statement shortly after the VisMin Super Cup organizers slapped a lifetime ban on the Siquijor Mystics for their actions during Wednesday’s game marred by unbelievable misses and sloppy plays by both teams.
Arquisola apologized for the incidents in the game that ended with the Heroes up, 27-13, at halftime while commending the swift decision of the league and the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) which he said led to the “truth coming out.”
The Lapu-Lapu City team owner, however, pinned the blame squarely on Siquijor players and coaches, who, he claimed, showed up for the game with no intention to win whatsoever.
Arquisola said Siquijor players and coaches egged Lapu-Lapu players to score and winked in the direction of the Heroes' bench after every missed attempt.
“As a sportsman who has supported this team starting from small commercial leagues all the way to the professional level, I denounce any and all shenanigans involving the game of basketball,” said Arquisola.
“Our team came here to play, to win. And it’s such a shame that some people have different priorities other than winning.”
“As evidenced by the suspension, the truth has come out,” said Arquisola. “And this statement intends to shed more light into the matter."
He continued: "From the get-go, it was clear to our coaches and players that the opposing team had no intention of competing. Their players kept egging our players to build the lead further and would even wink at our bench whenever they missed a shot or a free throw.”
The Heroes, however, didn’t escape punishment. Coach Francis Auquico drew a P30,000 fine and a suspension for the rest of the first round. Auquico’s coaching staff Jerry Abuyador, Alex Cainglet, Jon Carlo Nuyles, Hamilton Tundag, and Roger Justin Potot were also fined P20,000 each.
Rendell Senining, identified as the player who shot his free throws alternately using his left and right hand, was also slapped with a P15,000 fine, while drawing a suspension for the rest of the tournament.
Hercules Tangkay, Reed Juntilla, Monbert Arong, Dawn Ochea, and Ferdinand Lusdoc were all fined P15,000 each and suspended for the rest of the first round.
While he isn't condoning the action of his players, Arquisola said he can’t blame his players for their reaction after seeing that Siquijor had no intention to win the game.
Arquisola declined to elaborate why his players deliberately missed attempts, too.
“I realize though, that our team could have dealt with the matter better. However, given all the hours that they spent preparing for the games, all the sacrifices that they made to be the best versions of themselves for this league, I don’t blame them if they found the opposing team’s actions to be disgusting and responded in that manner,” said Arquisola.
“Still, I do not condone any of their actions and admit that they could have handled it in a much better way. For that, I apologize and I assure everyone that I am personally dealing with the matter,” said Arquisola.
Arquisola assured that despite the unfortunate incident, the team intends to win a championship in the VisMin Cup while making sure that the integrity of the league will not be compromised.
“Moving forward, I also want to assure everyone that the ARQ Builders–Lapu Lapu City Heroes is committed to one thing and one thing only — to winning the title. And we will do so to the best of our abilities and with the highest standards of sportsmanship and decorum. We will continue to work with the league to make sure that the selfishness of some will not tarnish the game that we love,” said Arquisola.
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