PBA: Hontiveros has no hard feelings for Washington, Narvasa after scuffle

MANILA, Philippines – Alaska veteran Dondon Hontiveros had no hard feelings for both Jay Washington and PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa following the altercation that marred Game 2 of Alaska and Globalport’s semifinals series in the 2016 PBA Philippine Cup. 

Hontiveros, 38, clarified late Wednesday night, January 6 that he had already made peace with Globalport big man Jay Washington even before the shoving escalated late in the first quarter of Game 2. 

“’Pag tayo ko, natulak ako ni J-Wash. Then after that kung makita sa replay, i-review natin, wala akong ginawang second motion. Nakita ni J-Wash, nagkatinginan kami na okay na kami. Lalapitan ko na sana siya,” Hontiveros said, explaining to reporters what happened from his perspective.

“I was okay with J-Wash, I was about to talk to J-Wash that time.”

(When I stood up, I inadvertently pushed J-Wash. Then after that if it can be seen on the replay, we can review, I didn’t make any second motion. J-Wash and I looked at each other and knew we were good. I was about to approach him already.)

Hontiveros, who was part of the altercation that nearly escalated into a bench-clearing brawl, also defended Narvasa for entering the court and personally trying to pacify the sea of players and officials.

Narvasa was specifically seen on live television reprimanding and pointing a finger at Hontiveros with Alaska assistant coach Louie Alas in between them urging the player to go back to the bench.

“Gusto ko sanang lapitan nun si J-Wash pero Commissioner was telling me to go back to the bench. Mamaya na lang daw,” Hontiveros said, explaining what the league Commissioner was telling him. 

“I was insistent on really to go to J-Wash. Then nung nakita kong umalis na si J-Wash I was about to explain to Commissioner bakit ko siya gustong puntahan or ano. Pero gusto niya na pumunta ako sa bench.”

(I wanted to approach J-Wash but Commissioner was telling me to go back to the bench. Just do it later. I was insistent on really going to J-Wash. Then when I saw J-Wash leaving the court, I was about to explain to Commissioner why I wanted to go to him. But Commissioner wanted me to go to the bench.)

Narvasa approached Hontiveros after the latter kept trying to go up to Washington, who was also being pulled away by other players and referees.

“Mali ako, bakit ako pumunta dun. It was Commissioners’ job to protect yung mga mangyayaring suspension. Interest ng fans na baka going to Game 3 kulang-kulang yung players,” insisted Hontiveros, who finished with just 3 points and two rebounds in over 10 minutes of play. 

“It’s his job to do that, ako mali ako (I was wrong).”

(I was wrong for going there. It was Commissioner’s job to protect any suspensions that could happen. It’s in the interest of the fans that maybe going to Game 3 we might be missing players.)

The scuffle saw 13 technical fouls called on players and officials from both teams.

The game ended with a total of 16 technicals, tying the record for most technicals in a game set by Alaska and Shell in the 1997 Governors’ Cup.

Washington, who had 10 points and 6 rebounds, was eventually thrown out after incurring his second technical foul late in the third quarter. 

The Aces equalized the best-of-7 series at 1-1 after shutting down the Batang Pier, 100-76. – Rappler.com