Star head coach Jason Webb disputes a call during a game between the Hotshots and the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, at Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Kings won, 116-102. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Ginebra and Star truly had a heated duel on Sunday night that emotions spilled over to the sidelines as Hotshots team manager Alvin Patrimonio and Peter Aguilar, father of Gin Kings forward Japeth, engaged in a verbal tussle following Ginebra’s 116-103 win over Star.
The exchange was triggered when Patrimonio and Star governor Rene Pardo were complaining to the officials early in the fourth of what they felt was Gin Kings forward Jervy Cruz getting too physical.
But what caught the ire of the usually mild-mannered Patrimonio was when he saw Aguilar, who was sitting at the sidelines, gesturing him to go back to the bench.
“Parang nakakalalaki eh. Hindi naman damay ang anak niya doon sa nirereklamo namin,” said Patrimonio.
Witnesses also saw the four-time PBA Most Valuable Player confront Aguilar after the game as both teams made their way to the dugout.
The action continued at tunnel of the Big Dome as the two crossed paths anew.
“Pare, wag kang sisiga-siga,” Patrimonio said in jest.
“May sinasabi pa, oh!,” responded the elder Aguilar.
The former Ginebra player said that he expected more from a PBA legend like Patrimonio in situations where emotions are high.
“Di ba beterano sya? Experienced na player na siya eh. Ilang MVP ba yun? Dapat alam nya na ang basketball, inisan,” said Aguilar of the four-time MVP.
The win clinched Ginebra a seat in the quarterfinals, joining Mahindra in second place at 6-2.
Star, meanwhile, failed to end its misery as it slumped to its fourth straight defeat and is in danger of missing the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs with a 1-6 card.