De La Salle College of Saint Benilde-La Salle Green Hills head coach Renren Ritualo insisted that emotions running high is all part of the game of basketball.
On Friday, the Greenies could not build on the momentum of their brilliant semifinal win in Game 1 of the NCAA Season 100 juniors basketball finals against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Junior Altas following a 100-96 defeat.
The second quarter of the match saw LSGH lose versatile guard Arle Podador to a disqualifying foul after hitting Aries Borja to the stomach. Podador will be missed by the Greenies in Game 2 as league rules state ejection from the game means an automatic one-game suspension thereafter.
Another main guy in Guillian Quines then was slapped with a technical foul due to taunting halfway through the third quarter to add to their foul troubles.
Despite their resilience being tested, Ritualo remained proud of his squad especially after the graduating Quines delivered another game-high performance of 29 points along with two rebounds, three assists, four steals, and a block in the losing affair.
“It was tough that my main guy [Arle Podador] was thrown out of the game. And because of taunting Guillian Quines got a technical foul. I really can’t comprehend because of the taunting and technical. [But] we’re not there to hurt people,” Ritualo told GMA News Online.
“Against all odds [even in the semifinal], it just made us stronger as a team. So, it doesn’t matter who’s there or not [to face us]. As long as we’re going to fight for each other, that’s the most important thing,” he added.
Ritualo was not exactly thrilled that his player was whistled for what he feels was simply showing emotions as it dampened their morale.
“Dapat kuwarenta ‘yun kung hindi nila tineknikal si [Quines]. Kung hindi nila tinechnical it’s gonna be like siguro 40 points,” said Ritualo.
“This is basketball. I’ve been around basketball for the longest time. I’ve never seen anything like this na parang you’re not hurting your opponent [but] you got a tech by just showing emotion. Kids are not robots. They’re teenagers. You should remember they’re 18-year-olds and below. Our opponents are 20-year-olds. So, these guys are kids. I really can't help –– kaya hindi ako nagagalit pag they’re showing emotion eh,” he added.
The 45-year-old tactician admitted that the intensity displayed by his team even starts from him as Ritualo himself refused to contain his own reactions from the bench.
“Not at all. [I don't mind them showing emotions]. Ako pa nga ‘yung nauuna eh. Because they’re kids and it’s basketball. It’s played with passion. Why will you take it out? Why would you take that passion out? It’s [their] love for the game. You can see how they fight. They fought the game until the end even though we [didn’t] have our main guys,” he said.
After overcoming a huge disadvantage in the semifinal on their path to the championship stage, LSGH is holding out hope of lifting their second trophy in the younger division while denying Perpetual its first-ever basketball title.
Whether the Greenies can keep their emotions in check or the intensity of the game should get the best of them, their passion will be put to the test once more in Game 2 on Sunday as they seek a series extension.
“We’re gonna fight until the end for sure. We’re not just gonna lie down there and [say] done. We’re strong like that –– mentally, physically, we’re really prepared and syempre emotionally. They play with passion, they love the game, they don’t want to give up, they don’t want to lose. They want to keep on winning and winning. I instilled that in them. Sabi ko sa kanila, ‘whatever happens, it’s all about winning.’ But at the same time, you have to have fun. Basketball is fun. Why take it [away]? I don’t get it. That’s my reminder to them.”
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
