UE coach Chris Gavina acknowledged that emotions got the better of him when he went on an expletive tirade against UAAP officiating, after Wello Lingolingo was tossed in the Red Warriors' loss to the DLSU Green Archers.
UE head coach Chris Gavina acknowledged his mistakes after going on an expletive-filled tirade against UAAP referees after the Red Warriors’ high-emotion overtime match against the DLSU Green Archers last Wednesday.
Handed a warning by the UAAP for his colorful language during the post-game press conference, Gavina said that the school has taken it upon themselves to look at the situation and what led to it.
In hindsight and with a clearer headspace, the Fil-Am coach said that there were better ways to go about it.
“UE took the initiative already of having my evaluation over my actions and obviously, you know, I'm extremely apologetic of how it occurred. I know I'm in a high position of influence and also setting an example.” Gavina said during an interview with former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala on Power & Play.
“So looking back, you know, I definitely could have approached it in a more professional manner and the message I was trying to send at the moment where there was just a highly emotionally charged moment at that time.”
Gavina acknowledged that no coach in any way shape or form would be delighted at a player getting injured – even if it was on the opposing team.
The UE coach became irate after his player Wello Lingolingo was tossed out of the match with 4:21 left in the fourth quarter.
Lingolingo was slapped with an unsportsmanlike foul for diving for the ball, landing on Kean Baclaan’s legs.
Baclaan was diagnosed with an MCL injury, which likely puts him out of the season.
[READ: UAAP issues stern warning, directs UE's Chris Gavina to explain rant vs officiating]
For Gavina, it was a “tragedy”.
“You never want to see a player in any capacity get injured in any competitive match, no matter the rivalry or whatever outcome. And for Kean, for such a talent like him to, you know, endure that injury during that moment, you know, is a tragedy in my opinion,” he said.
“And it's unfortunate, you know, that it happened that way. I wish him all the best as he prepares for his recovery process,” he added.
[READ: UAAP: Topex Robinson gives honest take on Chris Gavina rant after physical DLSU-UE game]
‘Basketball play’
At the end of the day, Gavina does stick to what he believes about Lingolingo’s intentions at that pivotal moment of the game.
With Baclaan even acknowledging that it was far from intentional, Gavina said that his player’s actions were in line with what was happening in the ballgame.
Because the officials were insistent that it was something with malice, Gavina became more frustrated.
“They asked me why I was so irate and frustrated at the time. And like I said, you know, it was a great game. And for a player of Wello’s capacity at that time, where, you know, we evaluated every single angle also to make sure that it was a basketball play,” he said.
“And in my opinion, his body trajectory and movement was made simultaneously as the referee blew his whistle. So there was no way he was going to control his body movement anymore at that moment.”
More than just the result of the game, Gavina was also adamant on protecting his players’ character.
“Knowing Wello and knowing what we promote at our program, we don't promote or condone any malice or any intent of violence. And that kind of, when the referees told me that, it kind of made me more frustrated,” he said.
[READ: UE’s Wello Lingolingo apologetic after foul on La Salle’s Kean Baclaan: ‘I am truly sorry’]
Regardless of Gavina’s thoughts, Lingolingo will be serving a three-game suspension beginning on Sunday, October 19, as the Red Warriors face off against the FEU Tamaraws to end their first round campaign in UAAP Season 88.
[RELATED: La Salle’s Kean Baclaan bears no ill will vs UE’s Wello Lingolingo despite injury in UAAP]
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.