‘Spitgate’ stalemate: UAAP settles with ‘stern warnings’ to La Salle’s Robinson, UP’s Torres

MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP has handed down its verdict on the controversial commotion centered around La Salle men’s basketball head coach Topex Robinson and UP guard Reyland Torres, settling with “stern warnings” after “unsportsmanlike conduct” from both sides.

In a statement on Saturday, October 12, the league found that “both individuals displayed behaviors that do not reflect the values of sportsmanship upheld by the UAAP and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).”

The investigation concluded that “Torres passed in very close proximity to Coach Robinson twice,” but did not specify what warranted his warning.

Robinson, meanwhile, “responded with language unbecoming of a coach,” a finding consistent with the champion mentor’s own admission of fault in the investigation.

The league, however, did not find smoking-gun evidence to back Torres’ allegation that Robinson spat on him during their brief encounter and likewise did not find any inkling to the La Salle side’s retort that Torres used profane language prior to the bench-clearing commotion.

“The UAAP emphasizes that it does not condone any form of unsportsmanlike behavior, as such actions are contrary to the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie, as well as the ideals of fair play that the league intends to develop and instill through amateur sports.”

La Salle and UP, the top two squads so far in UAAP Season 87, have at least one more elimination round match left on the schedule this November 10 at the Araneta Coliseum, in what is expected to now be an even more heated encounter between the two title-contending squads and fan bases.

Unless a drastic losing spell falls the Green Archers’ or Fighting Maroons’ way, either a Final Four series or finals rematch may still be in store, depending on the two teams’ final seeding. – Rappler.com