NATIONAL U workhorse Gelo Santiago once again found himself on the inflicting end of a controversial play this Sunday against Ateneo.
With 8:49 left on the clock in the third quarter and the Blue Eagles nursing a four-point lead, a battle for the rebound saw Santiago and Ateneo guard Waki Espina getting tangled up and dropping to the floor at the baseline.
While down, Santiago was then seen swinging his right arm, with his elbow connecting with the back of Espina’s head. The Bulldog was called for a flagrant 2 foul, resulting to a disqualification.
After the game, Santiago aired his side on what transpired on the incident that sent him to the dugout early.
As he recalled, “Nadala ako kasi parang pag-box out ko, tinry niya akong hilahin pababa. Kung makikita niyo sa ibang angle, ni-lock niya yung braso ko.”
“Hindi ko na-control yung emotions ko noon. Parang nanggigil ako bumawi agad. Buti nga, medyo ano yung braso ko that time, so ok naman ba.”
Still, Santiago didn’t excuse his actions, now his second controversial play after being involved in the play that injured La Salle’s Mason Amos.
“Pasensya na kasi hindi ko na-control yung emotions ko. Siguro, sadyang nadala lang talaga ako ng emotions ko and na-mental block ako that time,” he said.
For his part, Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin was glad to share that Espina was doing fine.
“He was down for quite a while, but when he got up, I think that he just had to clear his head and then it was ok,” he said with relief.
Impending suspension?
Judging by the UAAP’s strict penalties for unsportsmanlike actions, especially with recent examples like University of the East's Wello Lingolingo, it’s not far-fetched to assume that Santiago will be serving a suspension for his actions.
READ: Lingolingo remorseful in apology statement for Baclaan
Even with no verdict yet, Santiago has expressed his willingness to oblige, saying, “'Di ko naman yung ginusto, but na-mental block din ako at the time. So harapin ko na lang din.”
“Ready lang naman ako kahit kailan. Gusto ko lang makapag-contribute sa team. Siguro mag-focus na lang muna ako sa training namin.”
NU shot-caller Jeff Napa also quickly corrected Santiago, emphasizing that there is no room for such type of conduct in the culture they’re trying to build.
“Sinabihan niya na ako na hindi ko naman dapat kailangan gawin ‘yun. Mali yung decision ko na ginawa na yun. Nagpadala nga ako sa emotions ko. Lesson learned sa akin,” said Santiago.
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