CONVERGE coach Franco Atienza played down the late-game physicality that marred the PBA Philippine Cup tussle between the FiberXers and the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Sunday night.
Atienza said the physical nature of the game in the stretch run as just normal between two teams that are very competitive.
“Of course, in a battle, because of the high level of competitiveness of these players, because of their drive and their will to win, nagkaka-encounter talaga yan. Pero for sure pag nagka-salubong yan sa labas, ok na yan,” said Atienza following his side’s 92-83 win at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
READ Converge gets first win at the expense of Phoenix
The game became a bit too physical for comfort in the final five minutes starting with Tyler Tio ending up with a busted lip after commiting a foul against Deschaun Winston.
And then at the 3:49 mark and Converge ahead, 88-73, Ricci Rivero was called for a flagrant foul 1 against Winston.
Alec Stockton then came to the side of Winston and pushed Rivero, earning him a technical foul.
For the infraction, Rivera sat out the next three minutes of the game, but was never fielded back by Phoenix coach Mike Jarin.
After the game, Tio still bore the brunt of the cut on the lower right of his lip.
“No stitches needed. Bactidol lang naman. But I’m fine,” said the former Ateneo guard, who finished with 13 points, two rebounds, and three assists.
Franco said everything was just part of the game.
“Yun lang naman yung nature (ng game). And yun ang maganda because everyone is willing to compete,” he added. “So I just attribute to that – yung high level of competition and yung willingness to win.”
Converge evened its record at 1-1, while Phoenix went down to 0-2.
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