The De La Salle Green Archers (DLSU) will compete in Round 2 starting this Saturday with head coach Topex Robinson.
No sanctions, just a "stern warning".
The UAAP Board handed out a stern warning towards De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson, after the heated exchange with the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in their first round encounter of UAAP Season 87 on October 6.
This was confirmed to One Sports by a source with knowledge of the matter. They asked not to be named because they were not authorized to speak on the issue.
That means Robinson will be present at the sidelines when Round 2 starts this Saturday, as the Archers take on the UE Red Warriors.
The stern warning was for the "admitted use of profane language" directed towards UP's Reyland Torres, the source said.
Recall that during the third quarter of the game, the DLSU and UP benches were almost cleared as coaches charged at each other in the sidelines.
The situation was diffused without any punches thrown or physical violence inside the MOA Arena.
[ALSO READ: La Salle, UP coaches express contrasting views on heated exchange in UAAP rivalry game]
La Salle won that game, 68-56.
Allegations of Robinson spitting circulated on social media after the incident, generating a number of memes.
However, the board determined the allegation "could not be conclusively proven" based on testimonies and available evidence, the source noted.
Robinson declined to give a statement to the media after the game. Instead, assistant coach Gian Nazario spoke on the team's behalf.
“Actually, nagulat na lang ako. Nagtatayuan na yung coaches. Nagtuturuan na sila. So tumayo na rin ako. Nakituro na lang ako. But kidding aside, syempre emotions were really high at that point. I don't really know honestly what transpired. I'm just there to protect my coaches as well,” Nazario said.
“So when everyone was standing up, I wanted to stand up, I wanted to be united with them. Again, emotions. Nadala lang naman tayo lahat eh. And I think it was pacified well, hopefully. So yeah, it's part of the game,” he added.
UP coach Goldwin Monteverde did not elaborate on what happened. But he said if the issue was connected with the game, then things wouldn’t have gone the way they did.
“Whatever na init na nangyari, di naman tungkol sa basketball, yun ang importante dun. Kung basketball lang, being competitive, both sides will give their best, pero siyempre, pangit kasi na may mga ibang bagay na ginagawa sa loob na walang kaugnayan sa laro,” insisted Monteverde.
“Yun yung punto. On our part, yung mga player, magre-react din, even the bench.”
La Salle will meet UE this Saturday, October 12, 6 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Green Archers will meet the Fighting Maroons again on November 10.
(With reports from Luisa Morales, One Sports Digital)