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Sat 2 November 2024

Lessons from the punching incident at the UAAP 86 football boys’ championship

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(Photo: FEU Baby Tamaraws Bryan Villanueva in jersey number 4)

 

As the FEU Baby Tamaraws defeated the UST Junior Golden Booters and marked their 12th straight victory in UAAP football last Thursday, February 29, a tense incident happened in the sidelines.

FEU defender and second team captain Bryan Villanueva approached the UST side, put his pointer finger to his lips to make “keep silent” sign, and then placed his hands beside his ears as if to communicate “I can’t hear you.” While a UAAP official in white shirt placed his hands around Bryan’s waist to hold him back, UST goalkeeper Ben Sabuga ran towards Bryan and hit Bryan at the back of the head.

This was captured in videos and photos that were quickly posted on social media.

Bryan did not retaliate. “He might not even have noticed it,” one observer said of the punch. “Kasi based on the reaction, celebratory pa rin, kahit binatukan na siya. Akala siguro ni Bryan team mates niya ang bumatok sa kanya.”

In a video clip, UST head coach Marjo Allado was shown angrily reprimanding Ben.

Thankfully, no one was injured and no other untoward incident ensued. The awarding ceremony followed as scheduled.

In an official statement posted by UST Junior Golden Booters team captain Kiel Elorpe on behalf of the team, they congratulated the FEU Baby Tamaraws. The statement said, “… we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the FEU Baby Tamaraws for their win. No excuse on our part and you truly deserve the championship as you displayed more about how to win than what we have shown.”

It also related their side of what happened saying, “At the final whistle of the championship game of UAAP Season 86 Boys Football Tournament, a senior player from FEU, donning the captain’s armband charged towards UST’s technical area, hurling offensive taunts at their coaches, players and supporters. He continued unchecked by anyone from FEU.”

While the statement did not name FEU’s Bryan Villanueva, it was obviously referring to his actions after the final game. The Junior Golden Booters also asked the public to “look at the incident on both sides with objectivity and impartiality,” saying that a “deliberate and shameless display of rudeness by this FEU player, who instigated this incident after all, should be equally condemned and addressed.”

In an interview conducted through Facebook Messenger, Kiel reiterated that they were caught by surprise by what they claimed as “offensive taunts.” Kiel told Fullcourtfresh. “Nabigla po kaming lahat sa nangyari at hindi po namin ‘yun ine-expect.”

We had a chance to get Bryan’s side and he denied that he said anything offensive. “Gumawa lang ako ng sign language,” he said to us via FB Messenger.  “Tahimik, ganyan. Humawak ako sa tainga ko kasi sobrang dami. Imagine, tapos na ‘yung game, marami pang sinisigaw yung tao sa paligid. Lalo na mga fans nila,” he said referring to the UST side.

Bryan admitted that his actions last Thursday were wrong. “May pagkakamali din po talaga ako sa nangyaring ‘yun,” he said. But he also maintained that tension had been brewing between both teams, particularly during Game 1 of the championship series when UST won over FEU, 2-0. Then the rivalry intensified in Game 2. “Nagdi-dirty na sila, naniniko, nang-aapak. Especially (during) the second game,” stated Bryan who also divulged that he was told some unkind words by the other side before he made a penalty shot in Game 2. Bryan remained levelheaded and turned that opportunity into a goal, thus sealing the Baby Tams’ Game 2 victory, 3-0.

UST’s Kiel categorically denied any trash talking came from their side at any time, at any game this season. “Wala po, ever since nagkatapat po kami (ng FEU) noong first round, wala po. As Thomasians, we respect our opponents, win or lose.”

There are now reports that Bryan exhibited a similar behavior at a match of UAAP Season 85. But according to a source close to the FEU Team, who was present at this Season 85 match, it was FEU’s opponent that was the first to be aggressive. The source recounted, “Intense din ang trash talk-an. Pati kaming FEU spectators tina-trash talk.”

Trash talking as defined by the Oxford Dictionary pertains to “insulting or boastful speech intended to demoralize, intimidate, or humiliate someone, especially an opponent in an athletic contest.” This type of language is usual in sports events, and can come from any participant— the athlete, the coach, the fan. Sometimes, it can be part of a game strategy, yet many times, it’s likely a spontaneous emotional outburst.

Emotional or not, veteran football coach Joel Villarino said that the punch to Bryan was completely uncalled for. “Wala akong nakitang rason na kailangang suntukin ang player. Kung nainis man o nayabangan sa kalaban, eh talagang ganyan ang laro, pagalingan at payabangan! Dapat magpakitang-gilas din!” Coach Joel reminded that athletes must always keep cool and take the high road. “Talo ka kapag ma-provoke ka. Game lang ‘yan.”

Nonetheless, actions that can threaten one’s safety and wellbeing must be prevented. The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has a Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct that admonishes players to play fairly and with respect. Part of the code of conduct clearly tells players to “not bully or start fights with others” which may come in form of 1) using mean words, 2) excluding someone on purpose, 3) using social media in a bad way, 3) cursing or swearing at someone, 4) physically fighting and hurting others.

Whether players or the teams involved in this latest episode will be sanctioned or not is still up for discussion. “I will need to report the whole incident,” said UAAP Season 86 Football Commissioner Rely San Agustin. “Disciplinary Committee will decide. (It’s) very unfortunate. Any sanction imposed will be carried over to the next season,” he added.

After successfully defending the title, Bryan, a product of the Tuloy sa Don Bosco Football program, gained something more substantial than a UAAP trophy. He learned the real definition of being a champion. He said sincerely, “Na-englighten ako noong nakausap ako ng coach ko sa Tuloy sa Don Bosco, si Coach Taketomo Suzuki. Nagalit po siya and hindi natuwa sa kung ano ang nagawa ko. Tama po siya noong sinabi niya na kahit anong sabihin o gawin ng iba, huwag na huwag pong babawi. Hindi na daw dapat nagpadala sa emotion po. Okay pa po ‘yung nag-champion. Magandang ‘bawi’ na daw po ‘yun.”

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