LETRAN coach Jeff Napa blew his top as he responded to San Sebastian coach Egay Macaraya’s accusation that the former kept him in the dark' with regard to the ‘ligang labas’ issue that involved both of their players.
San Sebastian’s RK Ilagan and Letran’s Koy Galvelo stand accused of playing in a bush league last June 30, a day after the NCAA finalized its eligibility meeting. If proven, the two players and their teams face sanctions from the league.
While Napa kept Galvelo on the bench, thus eliminating the possibility of forfeiture of the Letran's wins, the Stags kept Ilagan in its lineup and now run the risk of having wins over Jose Rizal University and St. Benilde overturned.
Macaraya earlier expressed his frustration about how Napa kept him in the dark all throughout the issue.
But the outspoken Letran coach is having none of it.
“I think it’s not my responsibility to answer that kung ano man yung sinabi ng kabila kasi ang responsibilidad ko ay Letran. Wala akong pakialam sa kung sino mang school yan. Ang responsibility ko yung 15 players na susunod at susunod sa patakaran namin,” Napa said right after their 88-70 win over Arellano on Tuesday.
"Kung meron mang lumabag kung sino man yun, wala akong pakialam dun,” said Napa.
The three-time UAAP juniors champion coach said he only learned about Ilagan’s involvement in the 'ligang labas' issue when the NCAA Management Committee was already conducting an investigation.
“Nalaman ko lang naman 'yun (RK Ilagan) nung tinanong ni (Letran athletic director) Father Vic (Calvo) e. Ba’t nila ako tuturo? Kasalanan nila yun. Ako responsibilidad ko yung kinseng players ko, may Team B pa ako. Alangan namang intindihin ko pa yan.”
Napa said the Stags should take responsibility for their mistake instead of passing the blame on other coaches and schools.
On the decision to sit Galvelo, Napa said: “Tinanong ako ni Fr. Vic, (sabi ko) may kasalanan yan kaya di ko pinapasok. Koy Galvelo is a big factor to our team. Hindi siya bangko. Pero I have to sacrifice dahil sa rule na nilabag niya.
“Kung meron mang nadamay diyan, di ko na kasalanan yun. Kasalanan ng kung sino mang pontio pilato ang pinalaro 'yun. Ganun lang kasimple yun. Wag tayo mag-point fingers ng mag-point fingers kung kanino. We’ll take action sa kung ano man ang ginagawa natin. Ngayon, I took my action kung ano ginawa ko kay Galvelo kasi player ko siya.”
Napa said he only learned about Galvelo’s involvement in the 'ligang libas' controversy from his players. The coach said he was so enraged that he thought of kicking Galvelo out of the team for good before his players intervened.
“Wala sa akin ang desisyon. Binigay ko sa mga teammate niya yung desisyon. Right after ko nalaman yung nangyari na yun. Alam nila na gusto ko na tangalin si Galvelo. Ako may guts ako tanggalin yun,” said Napa.
“Nakiusap yung mga teammates niya, especially the leaders. Bakit ko di sila pakikinggan? We’re family e. Nawala na siya sa direksyon, alangan namang ibaon ko pa.”
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