From left to right: Gary Cortes, Jiesel Tarrosa and Ubert Villaceran
The aftermath of the violent brawl that involved players between the reigning Cesafi champions University of the Visayas (UV) and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) saw a coach and two players from the former get slapped with two-game suspensions.
After an exhaustive review of the video footage taken of the incident that happened in the Minglanilla Mayor’s Cup Inter-Collegiate Christmas Basketball League on Wednesday night, Comcordio Mejias, the municipal administrator and head of the organizing committee decided to give Green Lancers Ubert Villaceran and Jiesel Tarrosa two-game suspensions.
It was also decided that UV head coach Gary Cortes be also given the same sanction after organizers deemed that he “wasn’t able to control his players.”
UV team manager Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas remarked that he and the rest of the team would abide with the decision that was handed down.
He also asserted that he will not mete out any further punishment until he is given the full scope of the incident.
The fracas started when USPF guard Mhike Patalinghug fouled Tarrosa in transition.
Patalinghug claimed that Tarrosa tried to retaliate afterwards but missed. This prompted USPF forward Kenneth Cada to shove Tarrosa, which then drove the UV players to run all the way from the other end of the floor to defend their teammate.
The game was called off due to the fracas and the win was awarded to USPF since the Panthers were leading, 15-8, with five minutes still left in the first quarter
In the video footage of the incident obtained by this writer, UV guard Sheldon Gahi was seen throwing a flurry of punches at Cada.
But he couldn’t be suspended since he isn’t part of the team lineup yet since he is still nursing an injured foot.
Towards the tail end of the melee, Villaceran was also caught throwing a punch on the Panthers’ big man, which meted him the suspension.
The video of the melee has been trending in Cebu Daily News’ Facebook page since it was uploaded late Wednesday night.
As of 7 p.m. on Thursday, the video has garnered 42,000 views, 501 shares, and 400 reactions.