ADAMSON head coach Nash Racela had some choice words in describing his verbal altercation with, of all people, La Salle captain Mike Phillips during their tense 61-60 win on Wednesday.
READ: Adamson further complicates playoff picture after frustrating La Salle
While officials were reviewing Manu Anabo’s foul on Vhoris Marasigan with 45.5 remaining in the third quarter, a different kind of action brewed on the sidelines.
Racela found himself exchanging words with a group of green-and-white fans seated near the benches who appeared to be trying to get under his skin.
But in the middle of that commotion, Phillips apparently came into the picture and said something that caught the Adamson coach off-guard.
“Sinabihan ako ni Phillips, ‘Tumahimik ka muna, coach,’” Racela shared during his post-win interview.
After the game, insiders within the Soaring Falcons camp backed up their shot-caller's claim, adding that the words had a tinge of an accent in them. The Green Archers' Fil-Am captain is well-known to be fluent in Tagalog.
Not long after the terse exchange, Racela said La Salle coach Topex Robinson stepped in, and the latter assured the former that he would take care of it.
Racela riled up
What surprised Racela even more was hearing such a remark from someone who openly expresses his faith.
“I was really surprised because he talks a lot about God, then all of a sudden, lumabas ’yun sa bibig niya,” he said.
“But I understand. That’s a spur-of-the-moment thing. ’Yung emotions niya siguro ’yun. Maybe he felt that’s what they needed to get the victory.”
Asked whether he expects an apology, Racela said that part is up to Phillips and to his faith.
As he put it, “I don’t know if he was wrong or not during that time, pero if ever he was, I’m sure he will realize that. He has his Lord to ask forgiveness from, ’di ba?”
“Lahat naman tayo pinapatawad ng Panginoon kapag nagkakamali tayo.”
READ: Phillips clears air on what got Racela riled up during Adamson-La Salle
Phillips, for his part, has since denied saying such remarks.
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