'Opposing team had no intention of competing'

Lapu-Lapu owner denounces Siquijor's actions in VisMin Super Cup

The team owner of the Lapu Lapu City Heroes denounced the Siquijor Mystics' actions in their controversial match played on Wednesday in the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup.

In a statement released on Thursday, Lapu-Lapu team owner Jason Arquisola said he denounces "any and all shenanigans involving the game of basketball."

"Our team came here to play, to win. And it’s such a shame that some people have different priorities other than winning," he added.

The two teams clashed in a game last Wednesday, but the game was cut short at halftime, supposedly due to a power outage. Clips from the game later surfaced online, showing several missed free throws and layups.

The league on Thursday expelled Siquijor from the Super Cup.

As part of the expulsion, its players and coaches will not be allowed to join any activities of the league. Other teams will also be prohibited to acquire their services.

The Lapu-Lapu team owner shared what he knew about the incident from his side.

"As evidenced by the suspension, the truth has come out. And this statement intends to shed more light into the matter. From the get-go, it was clear to our coaches and players that the opposing team had no intention of competing during that game. Their players kept egging our players to build the lead further and would even wink at our bench whenever they missed a shot or a free-throw," Arquisola said.

He said his own team could have handled the situation better.

"However, given all the hours that they spent preparing for the games, all the sacrifices that they made to be the best versions of themselves for this league, I don’t blame them if they found the opposing team’s actions to be disgusting and responded in that manner."

Though the league came down harder on Siquijor, Lapu-Lapu did not come out unscathed either, as players Jercules Tangkay, Reed Juntilla, Monbert Arong, Dawn Ochea, and Ferdinand Lusdoc were suspended for the rest of the first round of the tournament and slapped with a fine of P15,000 each. Rendell Senining was suspended for the rest of the season and fined P30,000.

Some members of Lapu-Lapu's coaching staff were also handed fines of P20,000, while head coach Francis Auquico was suspended for the first round, on top of a P30,000 fine.

"Moving forward, I also want to assure everyone that the ARQ Builders – Lapu Lapu City Heroes is committed to one thing and one thing only—to winning the title. And we will do so to the best of our abilities and with the highest standards of sportsmanship and decorum," Arquisola said. —Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News