Eric Camson vs Raymond Almazan. PBA IMAGES
Kia big man Eric Camson said he was merely getting in position for a rebound it wasn’t his intention to hit Rain or Shine center Raymond Almazan with an elbow that triggered an ugly fight on Saturday.
While fighting for positioning in the shaded area, Camson landed an elbow to the face of Almazan, who quickly retaliated with his own.
The situation escalated after Camson caught Almazan with a punch in the face before players and referees stepped in to restore order.
READ: PBA: Almazan, Camson ejected after trading punches
“It wasn’t intended. The replay will show that I wasn’t going for his face and I was just boxing out,” Camson told reporters in Filipino after the game. “I hit him and it was something unavoidable. Then he got back at me and it was just my pride at that point.”
Both got ejected after being slapped with a flagrant foul penalty 2.
Kia came into the game having lost 16 straight games dating back to last season and Camson said all the losing was a reason for how he handled the situation.
“I didn’t like what happened. I guess I just wanted to win so bad because we’re really tired of losing. We don’t want them (Rain or Shine) to make a run because we know that once they do, we’ll lose our morale,” said Camson, who had 10 points, five rebounds and four assists in a 98-94 victory.
READ: PBA: Kia halts 16-game skid, upsets Rain or Shine
The two got into a heated verbal exchange along the Cuneta Astrodome hallway on their way to their respective dugouts but after the game, Camson said he has no problems apologizing to Almazan first.
“Being the younger player, I’ll be the one to approach him. I don’t see any problems with that because we’re all playing in the same league and we all have the same job,” he said. “I never wanted any of that to happen. I’m a man and I got hit.”
Almazan declined to give interviews to the media after the game.
PBA Office-In-Charge Willie Marcial said he will summon both players on Tuesday.
Camson plans to use the meeting to apologize to Marcial and Almazan for his actions.
“I will respect the league’s decision and I am willing to ask for forgiveness and apologize to sir Willie and Raymond.”