SAN Sebastian star Michael Calisaan insisted he had no intention of hurting JV Mocon, and denied insinuations made by San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez on their NCAA Season 93 match-up on Friday that he was a dirty player.
Calisaan made his remarks in the aftermath of an incident that initially led to his ejection in the first quarter of the Stags' 76-65 loss to San Beda, which was later downgraded into an unsportsmanlike foul following a video review by the referees.
Calisaan said he was only trying to box out Mocon during a rebound action when his elbow hit the Red Lions forward’s chest.
"Kasi po, sa akin, wala sa sarili ko na wala akong ginawang masama," said Calisaan. "Hindi ko intensyon na maniko. Nakita naman natin sa review, sa replay na sa dibdib lang tinamaan."
The Stags forward also made it clear he is not a dirty player, in contrast to claims made by Fernandez, as he is only playing hard in his attempt to defend the best way he can.
"Hindi naman po ako siguro dirty player. Ewan ko po, baka sa tingin nila, ganun po pero wala po talaga akong intensyon na manakit. Naglalaro lang po ako. Pag lume-layup po, china-challenge ko lang. No easy basket para sa akin po pero baka sa tingin po nila, dirty player," he said
"Lilinawin ko lang po. Hindi po ako dirty player. Go hard lang po ako lagi. No easy basket," added Calisaan.
The 6-foot-4 Stag also said he feels that the referees also look at him as a dirty player, which is why the initial call was a disqualifying foul.
"Sabi ko, bakit ganun sa akin lagi 'yung mga referee. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, bakit ganun sila kainit sa akin eh naglalaro lang naman ako. Ganun ako maglaro, box out lang naman 'yun," he said
"'Yun nga po 'yung tingin sa akin, pati mga referee. Dami ko na nga pong technical. Ewan ko lang po kung naka-ilang technical na ako this game. Every game ata, may technical ako. Sa EAC, akala ko mato-thrownout ako. Si Sidney tinamaan ko rin. Kanina, si Mocon dito (sa dibdib)," Calisaan added.
The San Sebastian cager, who topscored for the Stags with 23 points, was nevertheless glad that the referees changed their decision following the video review of the incident.
"Nagpasalamat ako na may chance pa ako na makalaro at tulungan ko mga teammate ko para maglaro pa," he added.
"Buti na lang, may review. Kung walang review, baka tapon na naman ako," said Calisaan.
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