After Wello Lingolingo was handed a three-game suspension by the UAAP for an unsportsmanlike foul, the UE Red Warrior apologized to La Salle Green Archer Kean Baclaan.
UE star Wello Lingolingo took to social media to express his sincere apology after La Salle’s Kean Baclaan was injured on a loose ball dive from the UE player late in regulation of the Red Warriors’ first round encounter against the Green Archers last Wednesday.
With 4:21 left in the fourth quarter, Lingolingo went after a loose ball despite the referees signaling a jump ball out of instinct and inadvertently landed on Baclaan’s legs.
This in turn caused an MCL injury for Baclaan — potentially sidelining him for the rest of UAAP Season 88.
On Instagram, Lingolingo broke his silence.
“First and foremost, I would like to sincerely apologize to Kean Baclaan, to his family, to his team, and everyone affected by the incident. I am truly sorry sa nangyari,” Lingolingo started his statement.
“It was never my intention to hurt anyone. I was simply going for a usual loose ball dive, something we players instinctively do in the heat of the game.”
Baclaan himself said that there was no ill will toward Baclaan for what he felt was accidental.
However, he did want Lingolingo to take initiative and apologize to him, regardless of what the intent was.
The La Salle guard later confirmed in a social media post that they did speak and Lingolingo apologized. Baclaan then asked fans to refrain from bashing the UE Red Warrior.
[READ: La Salle’s Kean Baclaan bears no ill will vs UE’s Wello Lingolingo despite injury in UAAP]
‘Learning experience’
Absorbing a three-game suspension by the UAAP for his actions, Lingolingo will have a lot of time to reflect on what transpired, and will hope that his Red Warriors will be able to fend for themselves.
At the moment, they are 0-6 for the season and have yet to break through.
[RELATED: UAAP: UE’s Wello Lingolingo slapped with 3-game suspension on foul vs DLSU’s Kean Baclaan]
Being forced to watch from the sidelines, Lingolingo will use the whole ordeal as a learning experience to avoid any untoward incidents in the future.
“Moving forward, I accept this experience as a lesson to become a better and more responsible player.” he said.
Lingolingo begins serving his suspension on Sunday, October 19, when UE faces FEU to wrap up their first round campaign in UAAP Season 88.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Topex Robinson gives honest take on Chris Gavina rant after physical DLSU-UE game]
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.