IT’S just a matter of protecting one’s own turf.
In essence, that’s what Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao was trying to point at in the face of the heated exchange of words he had with Magnolia consultant Eric Arejola near the endgame of the heated encounter between the two teams in Saturday night’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Guiao said he just came in the defense import Jaylen Johnson, who was confronted by Arejola near the Rain or Shine bench coming off a timeout.
READ: Rain or Shine turns back Magnolia as tempers flare late
“I was just trying to protect my players because he was trying to intimidate my player. I had to do something, so yun lang yun,” said Guiao in trying to explain the oncourt drama that transpired in the final 1:21 mark and Rain or Shine holding an 87-80 lead.
The veteran coach said he was just surprised that Arejola was already near the team bench and having some words with Johnson.
“Paglingon ko Erick was in the face of my import and that’s all the way from their bench. So iniisip ko paano siya nakarating ng ganon na hindi man lang siya pinigilan ng mga referee,” he stated.
Prior to the confrontation, Johnson just scored on a one-handed dunk, and as he ran back towards the other side of the court, the import was pointing to someone over at the Magnolia bench before the Hotshots called a timeout.
SPIN.PH lensman Mark Cristino caught it, and it looked like he was pointing at Magnolia coach LA Tenorio.
That’s when Guiao and Arejola began exchanging words when action resumed.
“I had some words but I don’t think I need to repeat the words,” said Guiao, already smiling as he recalled the incident. “I also don’t know if he had some words for me kasi hindi naman kami nagkakarinigan or baka mas malakas lang yung boses ko.”
Both Guiao and Arejola were assessed technical foul each.
But the Rain or Shine mentor was just a spur of the moment thing especially with how closely fought the game was.
“Magka-kaibigan naman kami pero pagdating sa laro, kanya-kanya tayong protektado dun sa mga interes natin,” he said.
“Siguro ganun din ang gagawin niya kapag ginawa ko yun sa player niya, but wala naman sa akin yun.”
In the end, Guiao said everything can be setted amicably.
“I don’t know, pero pare-pareho naman kaming magkakasama sa PBA family and that can be remedied,” he added.
It was the eighth win in nine outings for the Elasto Painters, who retained the top spot and drew closer into clinching a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
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