Ateneo player apologizes for drunken rage
UST FEU La Salle Ateneo UE UP NU ADU 8 8 5 5 3 3 3 1 1 1 4 4 6 6 6 8
After avenging its lone defeat in the first round, University of Santo Tomas can now focus its attention to one bigger mission – a return appearance in the UAAP Final Four.
That will be their extra motivation when the Tigers collide with the Ateneo Eagles today in a match expected to relive their
heated rivalry during the 2006 Finals which the Españabased squad won in dramatic fashion.
Though they are coming off an inspiring 6557 win over the reigning titlists National University Bulldogs, the Tigers are hard pressed to repeat their massive win over the Eagles in the first round.
During
their first round tussle, the Tigers had to rally from a 16-point deficit to beat the Eagles, 68-58.
If they can reaffirm their mastery over the Eagles, the Tigers will not only make another statement but will also regain the solo lead.
UST is currently tied with Far Eastern University for the lead while Ateneo, with one player in hot water, is likewise locked for third to fourth places with its bitter rival La Salle at 5-4.
One reason why UST Coach Bong dela Cruz is cautious this time is the return to form of Kiefer Ravena. After misfiring in the team’s last four games, the highleaping Ravena exploded for 20 points to help the Eagles clobber the Adamson Falcons, 8772.
Actually, Ravena fell two rebounds shy of completing a triple-double as he also finished with 11 assists and eight rebounds.
And that’s the major reason why Ateneo Coach Bo Perasol is upbeat going into their crucial showdown today.
With a 3-6 record, NU needs to beat Adamson in their 2 p.m. showdown if it wants to turn its fortunes around.
Meantime, Ateneo forward John Apacible has apologized to school officials, coaches and teammates for his drunken rage last Sunday that gone viral the following day.
In the video, Apacible was seen yelling expletives at the video taker, claiming he is a councilor
In a statement, Ateneo said Apacible has apologized and regretted his actions.
Meanwhile, Police Supt. Limuel Esto Obon, Kamuning Police Station 10 commander, defended Senior Police Officers 1 Jaime Morato and Randel Candelaria from accusations that they did nothing to stop Apacible from leaving the area after the former confronted video taker Ryan Bautista.
Obon explained that his men were patrolling near the area and when they saw the commotion along Timog Avenue, they immediately rushed to the area.
Upon checking, they asked the Ateneo player who was reeking with liquor to come with them to the station for questioning.
The seldom-used Ateneo player obliged but said he needed to check something inside his car.
To their dismay, upon boarding his car, Apacible sped away.