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Referees try to pacify NorthPort governor Erick Arejola after engaging in a word war with NLEX's Thomas Robinson. Dennis Acosta |
QUEZON CITY—Emotions were still running high even when the NorthPort-NLEX game on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum ended.
While both teams shook hands following the Road Warriors' 112-104 win, Batang Pier governor Erick Arejola and Road Warrior Thomas Robinson were still exchanging some choice words.
Just when some cooler heads thought they had already calmed everyone down at mid-court, some more shouting happened in the hallway leading to their respective dugouts, this time with NorthPort team manager Pido Jarencio also joining the fray.
Jarencio was heard telling Robinson, "You're one bullet. I'll shoot you later. Happy New Year!"
Commissioner Willie Marcial and Deputy Commissioner Eric Castro had to intervene as well just to completely prevent the confrontation between Arejola, Jarencio, and Robinson from getting worse.
NLEX head coach Frankie Lim, when asked about what happened, somehow confirmed that there were some threats thrown.
"Siyempre, tinatakot nila si Robinson. Eh hindi naman magpapatakot yung isa, so it ended up with bad words thrown at each other," Lim said.
Robinson, though, believes Arejola and Jarencio are just too frustrated following the Batang Pier's loss to the Road Warriors.
"They're upset. They lost. We won," Robinson said.
The tension was already there as early as the third quarter when Arejola seemingly did not like Robinson's nudge on JM Calma, leading to the first verbal tussle between the former NBA first-round pick and team executive.
However, according to Robinson, it was just part of them being too competitive and wanting that win coming off tough losses in their respective previous games.
"I'm just competing. He's competing. That's all," Robinson curtly said.
Lim and Arejola quickly made amends following the post-game spat, and Lim is expected to tell Robinson to patch things up with Arejola as soon as possible.
Ang sabi ko nga eh pasensyahan muna. Ganun talaga eh. I'll also talk to Robinson kasi nakakahiya din doon sa governor nila," Lim further said.
Marcial could summon Arejola, Robinson, and Jarencio at his office to share their side of the story.
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