Brawl mars UP-JRU preseason clash

John Amores threw a punch at Mark Belmonte during their heated moment in a preseason match-up. Screen capture from UCBL/KantiGo Scoreboards/YouTube

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—This is not a good way to start Tuesday in Philippine sports.

Tensions rose in a preseason game between University of the Philippines and Jose Rizal University at the SGS Stadium in Quezon City.

With 2:11 left in the third quarter of their PG Flex-UCBL Invitational Tournament game, Heavy Bomber John Amores and Fighting Maroon Mark Belmonte got entangled while jockeying for position, and a furious Amores punched Belmonte during the commotion.

Belmonte appeared to have hit Amores with an elbow while looking to get a good position for the post-up play.

Amores did not like the hit, dragged Belmonte to the floor while falling, and eventually punched him.

Cooler heads quickly prevailed as peacemakers but not without Belmonte apparently getting busted in his lip.

Both teams agreed to call it a day with UP, leading 52-41 during the fracas, awarded the win.

The Fighting Maroons and Heavy Bombers are invited as guest teams for the tournament, which features some of the UCBL's top teams like the CEU Scorpions.

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