UP and La Salle coaches’ in-game spat during their UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball clash, October 6, 2024, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Photo credits to Joaqui Flores.

MANILA — Francis Lopez had plenty to say about humility and physicality in basketball, days after the University of the Philippines' UAAP Season 87 faceoff against De La Salle University.

Though he did not mention any specific names and teams, Lopez talked about "playing the game the right way" in the aftermath of their first loss of the men's basketball tournament.  

"One big game. Had a lot of things happen, but it was a disaster," the Las Piñas native said in an Instagram story.

"If you ever make it to the highest level of your life, make sure to humble yourself and play it right. Everyone should always look for those who are consistently there when you're at your lowest, as those are the ones who want to see you succeed."

Francis Lopez's Instagram storyHe also let his thoughts out regarding how one should take the physicality of the sport. 

"Our team accepts defeat and all of our coaches never told us to hurt anybody," he emphasized. "But basketball is a physical game, a contact sport. If you can't play through it then go cry to your mommy and daddy."

"Fix the character. We will see you soon. No promises on anything, but we will for sure see you soon," he added.

Lopez's social media post came days after the finals rematch between UP and La Salle, with the Green Archers taking a 68-56 win.

READ: Kevin Quiambao takes charge as La Salle hands UP its first loss

But much of the discourse after the game is about a mid-game spat between the coaches of both squad that occurred in the third quarter.

Maroons head coach Goldwin Monteverde, without mentioning any specifics, expressed his distraught on the commotion that even extended after the final buzzer sounded.

"Whatever na init na nangyari, 'di naman yun tungkol sa basketball," said the champion coach.

"Kung basketball lang, being competitive, both sides will give their best, pero siyempre, pangit kasi na may mga ibang bagay na ginagawa sa loob na walang kaugnayan sa laro."

On the other hand, La Salle deputy Gian Nazario downplayed the incident and described it as "part of the game."

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"Actually, nagulat na lang ako. Nagtatayuan na yung coaches, nagtuturuan na sila. So tumayo na rin ako. Nakituro na lang ako," he quipped. 

"But kidding aside, syempre emotions were really high at that point. I don't really know honestly what transpired. I'm just there to protect my coaches as well. So when everyone was standing up, I wanted to stand up, I wanted to be united with them. Again, emotions. Nadala lang naman tayo lahat eh. And I think it was pacified well, hopefully. So yeah, it's part of the game," he explained. 

An unnamed person from UP's side cited that a person from La Salle's coaching staff spat on a Fighting Maroon. ABS-CBN News reached out to La Salle head coach Topex Robinson to confirm this, but the champion coach has yet to respond. 

Meanwhile, UAAP basketball commissioner Xavy Nunag said that while their office has not received any official complaints from both parties, it is a standard duty of their technical committee to review such and all other related incidents.

"Team or individual, when it's behavioral in nature like unsportsmanlike calls, technical fouls and the like, automatic sa Commissioner's Office yung review niyan," he told SPIN.ph.

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