FAR Eastern University coach Nash Racela said he was surprised to be confronted by a top La Salle team official at the end of the Tamaraws' 65-60 win over the Green Archers in their playoff for the No. 2 seeding in the UAAP men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Racela was the first from FEU to approach La Salle for the traditional mid-court handshake, but said he was surprised to be met by a visibly angry Green Archers team manager Terry Capistrano who, the Tamaraws coach claimed, accused him of challenging them to a fight.
Racela denied doing so.
"Nagulat ako after the game (na may ganoon)," Racela said when asked about the incident by Spin.ph. "Hinahamon ko raw siya, eh, hindi ko nga sila kilala."
"Ayaw ko nga ng away, ayaw ko ng gulo," he added.
Racela, who incidentally is a graduate of La Salle, said he hopes things will be well between him and officials of his alma mater.
"I hope I should be okay with them because I'm also from La Salle."
Capistrano could not be reached for comment at posting time.
Racela's Tamaraws and the Green Archers will cross paths again in the Final Four, with FEU holding a twice-to-beat edge because of the victory.
[See Tamaraws draw first blood in virtual best-of-three series against La Salle]
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