Dela Cruz speaks up: I have clear conscience

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Embattled coach Bong dela Cruz has denied accusations he had physically and verbally abused players, expressing his disappointment over the “trial by publicity” he said he has been subjected to.

Saying he has a “clear conscience,” the coach of the University of Santo Tomas Tigers finally broke his silence on the issue.

Dela Cruz said he had hoped that truth would prevail, but soon realized that “the accusations—not on my abilities as a coach but as a person—only got worse.”

“I know very well that I have a clear conscience,” Dela Cruz said in a statement yesterday. “But I have chosen to speak in the proper forum to air my side.

“I feel sad because … my family has been greatly affected by this trial by publicity. They know the time and dedication I have poured as head coach of the team.”

UST had barred Dela Cruz from the Tigers’ team practices after complaints surfaced that he “hit and threw expletives” at his players.

The Varsitarian, the school’s official publication, ran a report last week quoting two former players among its sources.

“Ever since the issues and talks came out, I decided to stay silent because there’s no truth to the issues against me and I believed it will die a natural death,” said Dela Cruz.

Fr. Ermito de Sagon, OP, director of UST’s Institute of Physical Education and Athletics, had said there’s an ongoing probe on “our basketball program in reference to the University’s policies.”

De Sagon also said that Dela Cruz “cannot handle the practices until [the university has] made a decision.”