For De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Center for Sports Development director Stephen Fernandez, Letran Knight Pao Javillonar's actions towards Will Gozum in Game 1 of the NCAA Season 98 men's basketball finals was "disrespectful."
Javillonar touched Gozum's backside past the halfway mark of the third period in Letran's 81-75 win over Benilde on Sunday.
"It was disrespectful. These kinds of antics... it disrespects the sport. The sport is supposed to impart values and character and discipline and camaraderie... and sometimes people forget about this," Fernandez said in Mark Salazar's report on "24 Oras," Monday.
Despite this, Fernandez said it will not file a formal complaint regarding the incident.
"We were quite expecting that to happen, that kind of play, not necessarily the action. We will be much ready sa aming second game," he said.
The NCAA Management Committee, meanwhile, said it will look into what happened, as some fans found it offensive.
"Nakikinig din naman kami that's why we are asking the commissioner to review the incident and submit findings," NCAA Season 98 Management Committee chair Paul Supan said.
The NCAA said it has policies regarding mind games during matches.
"Gamesmanship is part of the game as long as it's not injurious or provocative in nature. For that particular incident, we asked the commissioner to look into it, review that particular incident, and submit a report to the NCAA Management Committee," Supan said.
GMA Integrated News has reached out to Letran for their side but decided not to comment.
In a message to GMA Integrated News, basketball commissioner Tonichi Pujante said he will submit his report to the NCAA ManCom with his findings regarding the incident soon.
Gozum on Sunday did not hide his frustration about Javillonar's move.
"Siguro physicality matatanggap ko pero 'yung ganoon? Kahit sino namang player, madidismaya sa ganoon but okay lang, tanggap ko naman. Kung ganoon siya, so be it," said Gozum. "Gano'n 'yung character niya, gano'n yata siya pinalaki. I don't know."
Game 2 of the Finals is set on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and will be aired live on GMA and GTV.
—Justin Kenneth Carandang/Bea Micaller/MGP, GMA Integrated News
