Commotion in the tunnel leading to the dugout between NorthPort and NLEX. –MELO FUERTES/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—A day after the NLEX-Northport match that ended in a chaotic altercation, Batang Pier manager Pido Jarencio apologized for his words and actions toward Road Warriors import Thomas Robinson.
On Friday, Jarencio said that he had already reached out to league commissioner Willie Marcial and apologized for his unjust behavior at the dugout after NLEX’s 112-104 victory over Northport in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
In a video recorded by Inquirer Sports on Wednesday, Jarencio was caught motioning a gun gesture towards Robinson and screaming: “I’ll shoot you later. Happy New Year and Merry Christmas.”
The veteran coach said that his actions were made in the heat of the moment.
“He accepted my apology and I already told my side of the story. Bugso lang ng damdamin (I got carried away by my emotions). We all know that we don’t want to lose and they (NLEX) don’t want to lose so that’s just a part of the situation where we’re both competitors,” said Jarencio in a phone call to Inquirer Sports.
WATCH: Tensions flare between Northport’s Pido Jarencio and NLEX after the game.
Commissioner Willie Marcial is seen extinguishing the fiery scene. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/vfUbruOV77
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) November 22, 2023
Jarencio also said that he plans to apologize to Robinson, especially now that there seems to be a plan to summon both him and the import to the Commissioner’s office.
“We haven’t met yet but we’ll be called to the Commissioner’s office… I wasn’t given any [sanctions] yet and of course, they’ll still evaluate the situation first,” said Jarencio in Filipino.
The concurrent University of Santo Tomas coach explained that he was just playing peacemaker after Robinson continually barked at some of the Northport staff.
This prompted the veteran tactician to lash out in the tunnel.
“There was a situation where he kept talking and discussing with one of our staff until they reached the dugout. Of course, I can’t leave them behind as a team manager and as a part of the team. I was just protecting them.”
Robinson became the brunt of the Batang Pier bench’s ire in the third quarter when he figured in a barking match with Northport’s JM Calma.
League commissioner Marcial or Jarencio hasn’t disclosed any dates as to when the summon would be.