WELLO Lingolingo apologized to Kean Baclaan and his supporters following the heated game between University of the East and La Salle.
In a statement posted on his social media accounts late Thursday, the Red Warriors team captain commiserated with the Green Archers guard who suffered an MCL tear from their mad scramble for the ball.
"It was never my intention to hurt anyone. I was simply going for a usual loose ball dive, something we players instinctively do in the heat of the game," he said.
Lingolingo fell on Baclaan's knees when he dove for the ball at the 4:20 mark of the fourth quarter. La Salle would go on and take the 111-100 overtime win over UE on Wednesday.
Those actions, however, were deemed "excessive and forceful contact" by the UAAP Commissioner's Office, as he was penalized with a three-game suspension.
READ: UE's Lingolingo slapped with three-game suspension
Lingolingo, too, apologized to the league, stating, "I also want to express my respect to the UAAP and to everyone who continues to uphold fair play and sportsmanship in collegiate basketball."
"Moving forward, I accept this experience as a lesson to become a better and more responsible player," he said.
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