‘I didn’t punch him, I slipped’
UNIVERSITY of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers forward Steven Ursal has finally opened up to talk about his involvement in the fracas that occurred between him and University of San Carlos (USC) forward Kenneth Brillo in their Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) Men’s Basketball Tournament game at the Cebu Coliseum last Thursday, October 10, 2019.
Ursal said he spent a few days in his hometown of Bantayan to clear his head after feeling frustrated with the way the officials called their game. The tough and energetic rookie forward clarified that the hit that Brillo received while they were battling for position was inadvertent.
“Wala gud to nako tuyoa kay na slide man gud ko kay gi-push man ko niya then out of balance ko. Wala ko ka bantay na igo siya, so wala na ko nagdahom sa iyaha gibuhat nanukmag siya,” explained Ursal in an exclusive talk with SunStar Cebu on Saturday night, October 12, 2019.
Ursal said he did not even retaliate after receiving a flurry of punches from Brillo since he believes that physicality is just part of the game.
“Unya ako wala ko nibalos kay ma-eject ko sa game, unya duwa raman gud na. It’s part of the game. Kung nisukol ko, asa nalang ang sportmanship nga word?” said Ursal.
As shocking as the referee’s decision was to him, Ursal said he has come to terms with it and is moving on. He would be suspended for USPF’s next game and would be made to pay a P5,000 fine and render four hours of community service.
“Na-shock sad ko sa desisyon sa referee but okay raman nako kay wala naman tay mabuhat kay naa naman na desisyon nila sa mga nahitabo nga wala sad to natuyo pero katong pag sukmag niya nako, tinuyo na gud to kay sensitive na kaayo siya sa duwa kay wala na niya na control iyaha emotion,” added Ursal.