HERE'S a video of the controversial play that triggered the bench-clearing scuffle between the Alaska Aces and the San Mig Coffee Mixers on Saturday afternoon, as well as the heated exchange of words between coaches Luigi Trillo and Tim Cone.
The two camps have given Spin.ph contrasting versions of the events, with Joe DeVance claiming Calvin Abueva was out to hurt Alex Mallari with a foul late in the game. (For full story, see Bench-clearing scuffle, Trillo-Cone spat mar tune-up between Alaska, San Mig)
Alaska coach Trillo, however, has stood by his own version of the events that emptied both benches and led to a heated exchange of words with former Aces coach Cone (For full story, see Trillo hits out at Cone, says former mentor's 'power-tripping, lack of respect' triggered spat)
The video shows two plays that led to the scuffle, first the bump by San Mig import Marcus Blakely on Abueva that caused the Alaska rookie to fall and lose possession, as well as the flagrant foul later slapped by referees on Abueva after he hit a driving Alex Mallari.
The video also caught DeVance shoving Abueva to the floor in the ensuing commotion and a clearly exasperated Cone charging toward the other end of the court after the Abueva foul.
Was Abueva really out to hurt Mallari in the play or did Cone and the Mixers simply overreact? Watch the video and decide for yourself.
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