Nico Almendras. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Nico Almendras was apologetic to National University after serving a one-set expulsion in the opening frame of their match against University of the East in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at Philsports Arena.
After warming up, Almendras received yellow and red cards from the referee and was sent out of the playing court due to his unsportsmanlike behavior in their five-set win over University of the Philippines last Wednesday, according to commissioner Mike Verano.
The 2022 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference MVP said he had a misunderstanding with the UP players.
“Siguro sa akin kasi yung nangyari na yun yung last game namin against UP meron lang medyo di pagkakaintindihan,” said Almendras after NU survived UE, 22-25, 22-25, 25-14, 25-22, 15-6.
(For me, there was a misunderstanding with UP last game.)
Almendras returned in the second set with NU trailing 0-2 as the team also missed Ken Malinis, who was under the weather.
But MJ Fortuna stepped up with 25 points and Obed Mukaba nailed nine blocks to finish with 18 points. Almendras caught fire with 17 markers to pull off a comeback and keep NU unbeaten in five games.
“Sabi ko pagpasok sa loob: Pre okay na yun. Yung nangyari sa akin kalimutan na yun. Ang mahalaga makuha namin yung panalo,” he said.
(When I came in, I told them: it’s okay and let’s forget what happened. What’s important is we get this win.)
Almendras said he learned his lesson.
“Andon na tayo sa emosyon namin mataas. Kailangan namin controlin para sa mga susunod naming game. Sana di na maulit. Sinasabi ko sa teammates ko na pasensya na sa nagawa ko kung mali man yun sana mapatawad niyo pa rin ako,” he said.
(My emotions got the better of me. We have to control our emotions in our upcoming games. I hope it won’t happen again. I said sorry to my teammates and I hope they forgive me.)
NU coach Dante Alinsunurin said he already talked to Almendras and the whole team about the incident.
“They already gave us a sanction and we paid for the mistakes of our team. Their emotions got the better of themselves last game. But I already talked to them about what to do and not to do,” Alinsunurin said in Filipino.