Rendell Senining apologizes for role in controversial game, says ‘no game fixing’ on their end

Lapu-Lapu's Rendell Senining apologized for his actions in the controversial match against Siquijor in the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup played on April 14.

Airing his side in a video on Mikee Reyes' YouTube channel on Thursday, Senining said his actions were borne out of frustration because of Siquijor's 'disrespect for the game.'

"Like what I said, if they serve us that kind of game, we serve it back to them. But I admit, I'm really sorry, especially to basketball enthusiasts, here or abroad, I admit I was wrong and it will never happen again. I've learned from my mistake. It was really unacceptable and I've learned from it," Senining said in a mix of Filipino and English.

"It's gonna haunt me for the rest of my life but one thing for sure is, if that situation happens again, I know what to think and I know what to do," he added.

On one trip to the free throw line, Senining was shown shooting one free throw left-handed and the other with his right hand.

He said his emotions were very high at that point and that was what triggered him to do the unusual move.

"Prior to that, there were two unsportsmanlike fouls. On the second, the foul of the big guy, his arms were heavy and it hit my Adam's apple. I was smiling but I really can't swallow because it hurts," he narrated in Filipino.

Senining shared his version of what was going on in the match.

He said that when Lapu-Lapu scored its first 10 to 12 points, they noticed that their opponents’ body language was unusual, and they suspected then that Siquijor was allowing them to score. The first quarter ended with Lapu-Lapu up, 23-5.

"When we saw what they were doing, we just served them back what they were doing to us," he shared, adding that was the sentiment only of the players.

But he insisted that from their end, it was not a matter of game fixing.

"No game fixing happened. Knowing our boss (team owner Jason Arquisola) and coaches, we're here to play the game right," he added.

Their opponent, Siquijor, was expelled from the VisMin Super Cup on Thursday, following an investigation by the league.

Senining was one of several players from the Lapu-Lapu side that was penalized. He was suspended for the rest of the season and slapped with a P30,000 fine.

Other players and coaches saw suspensions until the end of the first round and various fines as well.

While he accepts the consequences of his action, he hopes the league reconsider its decision.

The Games and Amusements Board said it is closely monitoring the situation in the league after the controversy. —Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News