The UP Fighting Maroons give their final thoughts toward the ‘spitgate’ controversy that stemmed from their finals rematch against the La Salle Green Archers.
Twenty-four hours after Topex Robinson’s emotional statement, it was the UP Fighting Maroons’ turn to address the “spitgate” controversy involving guard Reyland Torres and the La Salle Green Archers head coach.
In a short media scrum, Torres himself gave a short and sweet response when asked about the controversy. The 22-year-old explained that he has already moved on from the incident, and is choosing to prioritize his team and their Season 87 title bid.
“Siguro nag-focus lang ako sa game. Hinayaan ko na lang ‘yung mga sinasabi nila kasi mas mahalaga ‘yung team namin. Mas mahalaga ‘yung bawa’t isa samin. Siguro tapos na po ‘yun. Next game na lang, may mga goal kami as a team so ‘yun na lang, dun kami mag-focus,” said Torres in UP’s 83-73 win against the UST Growling Tigers on Saturday.
Torres previously accused Robinson of spitting at him during the third quarter of UP’s 68-56 loss to La Salle last October 6 when he passed by the Archers’ bench during a stoppage of play. Following a “thorough investigation” by the UAAP, it was decided that both the UP guard and Robinson would only be given stern warnings for their unsportsmanlike conduct.
“Specifically, it was found that Mr. Torres passed in very close proximity to Coach Robinson twice. Coach Robinson, in turn, responded with language unbecoming of a coach,” part of the statement read.
“Additionally, allegations that Mr. Torres used profane language and that Coach Robinson spat at Mr. Torres could not be conclusively proven based on testimonies and available evidence during the investigation,” it added.
Torres says he is fine with this decision, believing that the UAAP observed due diligence in handling the matter.
“Okay lang naman sa’kin. Sa’kin lang naman, siguro pinagisipan naman nila ‘tas naging patas din sila sa part na ‘yun kasi mahirap din naman mag-isip. So kung ano man pinagdesisyon nila, thankful din ako dun so isasadiyos na lang natin lahat,” he said.
And in this low point, Reyland Torres cherished the support he’s received from his teammates. As his support system, the Maroons have encouraged the 22-year-old to move past the issue and turn his attention to the rest of their Season 87 campaign.
The UP community has also remained supportive, even cheering on Torres whenever he entered the court or attempted a shot against UST. Some fans even brought “We got you Reyland!” banners which they held up throughout the game in Araneta.
“Andyan sila [team ko] para sa’kin eh. Sobrang, ‘di nila sinasabi sakin… ‘Yung sinasabi nila ‘wala na ‘yon’, next game na. Talo is talo [against La Salle]. So ‘yung game na ‘to [against UST], dito kami nag-focus. Hindi namin iniisip ‘yun, hindi ko iniisip ‘yon [spitting controversy], kasi hindi ko itataya ‘yung team namin sa incident na ‘yun, so nag-focus lang ako sa team,” Torres said.
‘What happened, happened’
Like Torres, UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde was straight to the point in addressing the controversy. For him, all that’s left is to respect the UAAP’s decision to give Torres and Robinson stern warnings amid the unproven accusations.
Stricter penalties await the two for future violations, according to the UAAP.
“Online-wise, I don’t know what’s going on…But I guess, the UAAP made a decision and of course, we would abide by it. I’m sure, on our part, it wasn’t just a decision they made, they thought it through. So, for us, we would respect that. What happened, happened,” Monteverde said during the post-game press conference.
Monteverde placed his full trust in the UAAP to avoid another “spitgate” incident moving forward.
“I’m very confident that the UAAP would be very strict on kung may mangyayari ulit na may incident ng pagdudura, na ganong bagay sa game. And for me, what’s important, syempre, ‘yung well-being ng players, Reyland and lahat ng involved. And hopefully lang siguro hindi na mangyari ‘yun,” the soft-spoken mentor said.
As both sides move forward, here’s hoping they have all learned something from this whole controversy — whether it’s in composing themselves on the court or thinking twice before speaking out given their voice as public figures.
Banner image courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.