Adamson survived a chippy affair against La Salle, where Soaring Falcons head coach Nash Racela and La Salle’s Mike Phillips got embroiled in a tense moment.
Adamson head coach Nash Racela admitted that he got shocked but eventually understood La Salle's Mike Phillips as they figured in an alleged verbal altercation during their second-round match in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Racela explained that Phillips had said some uncharacteristic words to him during the sequence late in the third, where officials and the coaching staff had lengthy conversations over an off-ball foul committed against Vhoris Marasigan.
Racela received a technical foul for the brouhaha.
“Wala naman, sinabihan ako ni Phillips, 'Tumahimik ka muna, coach. 'Yon lang naman 'yong sinabi niya. So, parang, I was really surprised, because he talks a lot about God, and all of a sudden, lumabas 'yon sa bibig niya,” said Racela after the Soaring Falcons' 79-75 win over the Green Archers that kept them in the Final Four race.
[RELATED STORY: Adamson edges La Salle to stay alive in UAAP Final Four race]
Coach Nash Racela reacts at the sidelines during the Adamson-La Salle match. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
But the long-time mentor did acknowledge that tensions were high, and Phillips' reaction could have possibly stemmed from the high-stakes atmosphere.
“I understand, that’s a spur-of-the-moment thing. Emosyon niya siguro 'yon. So, maybe he felt that’s what they needed to get the victory,” Racela said.
“I don’t know if he was wrong during that time or not. Pero if he ever he was, then I’m sure he will realize that, and he has his Lord to ask forgiveness for. So, lahat naman tayo, pinapatawad ng Panginoon 'pag nagkakamali tayo.”
Phillips denies claim
Asked about his side of the story, Phillips denied even having the conversation with Racela.
Phillips said that Racela may have misheard or that there may have been a misunderstanding in the heated moment.
“Actually, just watching the video, I was surprised because in all honesty, I never actually said [that],” Phillips told One Sports.
“I didn’t speak to coach at all in that moment. But, of course, you know, spur-of-the-moment, it might’ve been said by, maybe the refs or like that. I was really focused on Vhoris,” he added.
Mike Philips struggles with a harrowing 1-for-12 shooting clip in La Salle's duel against Adamson. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Despite the incident, Phillips said that he respects Racela and that he was not about to say anything to stir the pot.
“I’m not going to comment anything malicious or anything like that,” Phillips said.
“I have a lot of respect for coach.”
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Luisa Morales is a sportswriter 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.