SMOKING THE PEACE PIPE. Ateneo de Cebu cager Andre Chua and University of the Visayas player Justin Jake Rosete make peace after weeks of animosity following that choking incident.
After being thrust at the eye of the maelstrom for the last two weeks, suspended University of the Visayas Baby Lancer Justin Jake Rosete has already made peace, both with himself and Ateneo de Cebu’s Andre Chua, the player he choked in the middle of an intense basketball game two weeks ago.
In an act of courage and utmost humility, Rosete went to Chua’s abode earlier this week to personally ask for forgiveness from the latter for putting him in a dangerous headlock during that controversial match. An image of Rosete choking out Chua made the rounds in social media, prompting UV team manager Samsam Gullas to suspend the cager for the rest of the elimination round.
Still, that did not stop Rosete from making amends, according to Chua’s father, Benedict, who relayed the inspiring turn of events to Cebu Daily News.
The older Chua said that Rosete got in touch with his son and then, came over to ask for forgiveness for what he did.
“It was a good gesture from him to come over and ask forgiveness from Andre (Chua). We’re glad with his efforts,” he said.
Initially, the elder Chua had wanted to keep the development private but later changed his mind, to give Rosete his due.
“We first wanted to keep it to ourselves but decided to let the people know because in fairness to Rosete, he showed respect and made an effort to contact Andre and also to find a way to ask forgiveness. It was a good gesture and also Andre received him with open arms. We hope that all this will make Cebu basketball better than ever.”
“I can see that he’s a good kid, I just think that the coaches had something to do with it. I hope the coaches can guide him to be a better person,” Chua continued.
In a related news, contrary to the ultimatum that any untoward incident that any Baby Lancer finds himself in will be dealt with severely, Gullas relayed that this time around he will back off and support his ward, Joshua Yerro, who was ejected from the UV-University of Southern Philippines Foundation game for incurring two unsportsmanlike fouls.
Gullas witnessed that game and said that the second unsportsmanlike foul was uncalled for.
“I will let this go. I saw the last foul. Refs have to be blamed as well. How do you expect the player to move when he can’t even move his arms to protect the ball? We will pay the fine like we always do, but I will stand with my players this time around. I will stand by them when they play hard and have no conducts or fouls in bad faith. The Baby Lancers have my support and no suspensions will be given. That last tech shouldn’t have been a tech.”