MLV-Zamboanga Valientes have filed a formal police complaint in Dubai against Al Ahli Tripoli import Israel Romero Fernandez following his assault on forward Nick Demusis in a Dubai International Basketball Invitational game.
Valientes coach RJ Argamino confirmed that team officials accompanied Demusis to a Dubai police station to file the complaint on Romero Fernandez's attack in the second quarter of Al Ahli's 110-103 win early Wednesday.
READ Former Meralco import faces Dubai ban for attack on Nick Demusis
Argamino also denied accusations that the team abandoned Demusis when he was being attacked by the burly 6-9, 220-lb Fernandez, explaining the players were briefed to strictly adhere to UAE laws regarding public conduct.
“Hindi namin iniwan sa ere si Nick. Masyado mabilis pangyayari. And besides, I commend my players and the whole team for taking the high road,” Argamino said in a phone call to SPIN.ph.
“If you look at the situation, Sam (Deguara) also turned his back to defend, Malik (Diouf) was talking to Dennis (Santos) when Romero suddenly attacked Nick, who was then down on the floor. And you saw Terrence (Romeo) approaching,” he said.
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Argamino bared Valientes team owner Junnie Navarro, a former national youth team guard, commended his team for taking the 'high road' and not retaliating physically after Romero Fernandez delivered a ‘football kick' to Demusis’ head.
Argamino is currently coordinating with the United Arab Emirates Basketball Association to impose sanctions on Romero Fernandez.
“That was a clear assault. And it against the criminal laws of UAE. We hope Romero will realize the repercussions of his action. Ulo tinamaan si Nick. Football kick ang ginawa nya, nakahiga na yung tao,” he said.
“We hope there will be sanctions and punishments. What he did was totally unsportsmanlike and uncalled for,” he said.
The Valientes also plan to petition the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to take action against Romero, who is also an import for the Meralco Bolts in the EASL.
“Gagawin namin yun. Naglalaro siya para sa isang team sa Pilipinas tapos gagawin nya yun sa isang Pinoy. There was really a bad intention. Twice na nya sinipa, aatakihin nya pa ulit,” he said.
Demusis’ wife, Rizza Diaz, expressed full support for the legal proceedings the Valientes are pushing, condemning the attack that played out on live television.
“Ang tagal ko na nagco-cover ng basketball wala akong nakitang ganun. Grabe yung ginawa nya kay Nick. And he did that on live TV and in front of a hundreds of fans in the venue,” she said.
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