UV cracks whip on erring players

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas has cracked the whip on its erring players, suspending Cameroonian recruit Jeffakins Aguara and local star player Francisco Arong for the rest of season due to unsportsmanlike behavior in a 67-61 loss to the University of San Carlos Warriors last Tuesday night at the Cebu Coliseum that put an end to what had been a turbulent campaign of the Green Lancers in 14th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men's basketball tournament.

"The University of the Visayas will suspend Jeffakins Aguara and Fransico Arong for the entire season of the CESAFI League. As the team manager of the Green Lancers and after careful deliberation of the facts, I recommend the suspension of  the players after being involved in an unsportsmanship attitude during a game between UV and USC last September 16, 2014," said Cebu first district Representative Gerald Anthony 'Samsam" Gullas, Jr. in a official statement released to different media outfits through e-mails and text messages yesterday.

Aguara and Arong figured in a heated altercation that could have escalated into a boxing match had pacifists were not quick enough to put the situation under control.

The ugly incident broke out right after USC's Shooster Olago scored on an easy two-handed slam that gave the Warriors their biggest lead of 10 points with only 35 seconds left to play.  A visibly displeased Arong immediately confronted Aguara for allowing Olago to make that dunk without putting up a challenge.

Aguara, however, reacted violently on Arong's actuations resulting into a near fistfight. The tension was only diffused when the proverbial cooler heads intervened, with Aguara being neck-locked by former champion Lancer Gary Cortes and Arong being herded by the rest of the coaching staff to their bench.

Gullas, who is also UV's assistant vice president for finance and administration, lamented on the conduct of both players. Likewise, he was very upset and disappointed with Aguara, who never showed a face after a game and whose physical presence was absent when he was called for a meeting.

According to the internal investigation they conducted, Gullas said Aguara was tasked to defend USC's Olago as it was the gameplan of UV's coaching staff. However, Aguara, instead of taking into action the gameplan, shifted his gear by playing soft in the hardcourt. The report showed that Aguara did not perform what he is supposed to do, which resulted in a lot of easy shots by Olago during the pivotal fourth quarter. Aguara's actions were apparent especially during the final seconds of the game when he allowed Olago to deliver a slam dunk.

"This fact angered Arong who has been obserbing the play of Aguara. The bench as well took notice that, indeed, Aguara never heeded to the coach's gameplan," said Gullas.

As the team manager, Gullas said he wanted the Visayanian players to display its UV spirit even in the dying seconds of the game. "It is not enough that we watch how we lose, we must make a fight regardless if we lose. It is the Visayanian's attitude to take a gallant stand and accept defeat humbly if it comes. It has never been the character of a Visayanian to swallow indecisiveness. Sadly, Aguara never carried UV's basketball style and passion," the young congressman said.

On the other hand, while he recognizes the eagerness of  Arong to defend the title of the university, Gullas noted that Arong should not have taken the matters solely into his hands. Gullas said he understands that Arong wanted to make his university proud by winning the game, but unfortunately his act in dealing with Aguara is not called for.

"It is very improper and reprehensible to show overtly his disappointment over his teammate before a crowd. We may consider that some may cast sympathy with his plight, but it turned out to many as a mockery," said Gullas.

Out of the sad turn of events, Gullas bared UV  will embark on a new approach in disciplining its players.

"The Green Lancers will be taught on how to overcome excitement and passion in the crucial moments of the game. Basketball is not just shooting the ball or making a rebound,  above all, it is sportsmanship,"  said Gullas. (FREEMAN)