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In Huddle : Ateneo-La Salle: A verdict not fit to print
First posted 02:39am (Mla time) Dec 10, 2005
By Beth Celis - Inquirer

Editor's Note: Published on page A22 of the December 10, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

FROM WHERE I was seated at press row, I could tell the dream was starting to turn into a nightmare for Vintage’s Bobong Velez, promoter of last Thursday’s Ateneo-La Salle Dream Game.

It was now over 30 minutes since the second and main match was halted following a violent skirmish between Ateneo’s Enrico Villanueva and La Salle’s Joseph Yeo during a rebound play. No one could be sure if the game would resume, since Ateneo was agitating to end it right there, with almost two quarters still left unplayed.

“To prevent further violence and possibly even a riot,” argued Ateneo sports official Ricky Palou who accused Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Noli Eala, a fellow Ateneo alumnus, of failing to control his players.

Ricky and Noli were inside the court, where almost all the game officials were milling around. There was only one issue to settle: Would the match continue or not?

With the movement of their lips, and the arch of their eyebrows, I was sure they were hollering at each other. Those who got within earshot confirmed that they were. The verbal tussle was very lengthy and very heated, witnesses swore.

Ricky accused Noli of not being able to control his players. Noli corrected him, saying that on the contrary, he could definitely control his players because he’s in a position where he could sanction them. He told Bobong, who looked pale and stunned at this point, that the game could continue even with only the PBA players in each team.

* * *
I must have been chatting with my seatmate because I missed that important piece of action. My attention was only caught when filled beer cans, coins and all sort of missiles started flying onto the court from the general direction of the Ateneo fans who--I only noticed for the first time--was up in arms.

At this point, another commotion started somewhere near the exit. Witnesses said Yeo had made a finger sign (not dirty) to Villanueva which infuriated the latter. It took several pairs of muscled arms to restrain Villanueva from wringing Yeo’s neck. I noticed that Villanueva’s lips had now swelled like a pair of sausages and they were bleeding.

* * *
“What happened?” I asked the scribe beside me who had watched the game intently.He said Green Archer Yeo was hit when Villanueva swung his elbows sideways after hauling down the rebound. Thinking it was intentional, Yeo retaliated by hacking Villanueva across the face.
Some witnesses said Yeo did it with a clenched fist, others swore his palms were open and visible.

A Blue Eagle rooter was certain Villanueva’s elbow blow was accidental, a Green Archers fan saw it differently. The swing was too strong and deliberate, the latter said.

After almost an hour (50.1 minutes to be exact), Eala and Velez finally succeeded in convincing the Ateneo camp to continue with the game. The coliseum barker announced that the game would resume, but only two amateur cagers would be allowed to play in each team.

For a while, the players just went through the motion, seemingly just to put a closure to the event. But 15.1 seconds into the final buzzer, the crowd came back to life. The score was tied at 85, and La Salle had ball possession. A turnover, a three-point shot from Enrico and the game was over 88-85 in favor of Ateneo.

“Poetic justice,” Tempo scribe Tito Talao remarked.

After that, it appeared that the incident was quickly forgotten. Or so it seemed.

* * *
“Close shave,” Bobong admitted the morning after. “Mahal pa rin ako ng Diyos because if the game was discontinued, all the months of preparation and hard work would have gone to waste.”

Not to mention that the spectators might have asked for a refund and the television sponsors could insist on a rebate with contracts left unfulfilled. It could have been a financial catastrophe, but it wasn’t.

In fact, Bobong admitted it was a financial success, as he thanked everyone, in particular Eala who played the role of negotiator between him and Ateneo.

“It’s unfortunate that such an exciting game and worthy endeavor was marred by Yeo’s unsportsmanlike conduct. Things like these happen, though. It’s all part of the game,” said Noli.

As for La Salle coach Yeng Guiao, while he was pleased with the performance of the Archers, he was even more so with his Red Bull cagers who all played for the opponent. “The Red Bull players killed us. That’s the attitude I try to instill in them whenever they play,” Yeng said.

Ateneo coach Chot Reyes refused to comment. So did Ricky Palou.

“What I feel is not fit for print,” Chot said.

* * *

tama bang i catch the last 4 minutes and 45 seconds of the AdMU-DLSU game by accident, channel surfing? tama bang sabay kaming humiyaw ng kapitbahay (na never ko pa nakikita, di ko man lang kilala) sa tuwa at takot ng mga 11pm? tama bang sobra akong matuwa kay papa larry at papa wesley? haaay. in the words of my ex-officemate: "mas bilib ako sa yo kasya sa ibang ateneo fans, because you weren't 'brainwashed to be blue' as a kid, your insides really chose." yes, they did.

**by the way, that picture of my baby's arm i got from somewhere...is that legal, my favorite tall friend?