Araña on elbow to Abueva’s face: ‘Di naman natin sinasadya’
Ryan Arana and Calvin Abueva (inset). Photos by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Ryan Araña said that the elbow that hit Calvin Abueva and got him thrown out in the first quarter of San Miguel’s game against Alaska was inadvertent.
As the two wingmen were jockeying for position at the end of first quarter, Araña hit Abueva with an elbow sending the energetic Aces forward to the floor. The move earned him a flagrant foul penalty two which meant automatic suspension.
But Araña argued the sequence and said, “It’s part of basketball.”
“May times na pisikalan, physical player si Calvin at ganun din naman ako. May times na nagkakatirahan kami at binabanatan nya ako, ganun din ako. Nagkataon lang siguro na na-overextend lang yung elbow, pero di naman natin sinasadya,” he said.
Araña added that Abueva may have even flopped at the impact of the hit.
“Iko-contest ko na rin kay Commissioner kasi parang na-artehan lang din ako. Di naman totally tumama yung siko.”
It was a heated affair between San Miguel and Alaska, more so that two of the last three Finals saw the two teams cross paths and the Beermen emerging as the winners in both championship series. Alaska prevailed 103-97.
However, Araña says that the exchange was nothing personal.
“Magkaibigan kami ni Calvin. Part of the game lang yung banggaan at kiskisan. Di ko naman sinasadya,” he said, adding that whatever happens on the court will definitely stay on the court. “Ok naman yan. Walang problema. Alam na namin yun. Hanggang court lang yan. Outside of the court, wala na.”
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