Ronald Tubid sorry for punching PBA crasher
MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel Ronald Tubid extended the olive branch to the court intruder who temporarily stopped the action in Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup between the Beermen and Magnolia.
Paolo Felizarta, who dressed up as Spider-Man, ran to the court with around three minutes left in the game and collided with San Miguel center and five-time MVP June Mar Fajardo Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Article continues after this advertisementAraneta security immediately apprehended Felizarta after the collision and that was when Tubid decided to throw in a sucker punch to the back of the head of Felizarta.
Tubid said that what he did was wrong and that he’s sorry for punching Felizarta.
“That was anger because I didn’t know why it happened. He also hurt our big man,” said Tubid in Filipino. “I just lost it and I really couldn’t understand what happened.”
Article continues after this advertisement“As a veteran, it’s always my duty to save and protect my teammates, but to the man I punched, I’m sorry.”
The collision caused Fajardo to go down as he laid on his back for a few seconds after getting hit in the jaw.
“I know what I did was wrong because I don’t know if there’s something wrong with him and I should’ve just understood better,” said Tubid. “I know I shouldn’t have done it.”
“I just didn’t want my teammate going down like that.”
Police officers from the Quezon City Police District Station 7 detained Felizarta at Camp Panopio shortly after the incident.
Felizarta could go out as early as Tuesday since Monday is declared as a special non-working holiday due to the midterm elections.