Ravena says Apacible should face consequences, but has his back

MANILA, Philippines – Though the Ateneo Blue Eagles have made it clear that they do not condone the actions of John Apacible, they’re standing behind the second-year player as he faces the consequences of his actions.

“We actually don’t talk about it – the issue – anymore, because we know it’s sensitive to John,” Ravena told the media following his team’s win over the UST Growling Tigers, which they dedicated to Apacible.

“We’re behind John. We know he did a stupid thing, but we’re behind him as friends, as teammates.”

Apacible was suspended for the remainder of the UAAP elimination round and from practice by Ateneo after a video with a male that was later confirmed as him appeared on Top Gear’s Facebook page looking intoxicated with alcohol.

In the clip, Apacible was yelling expletives as policemen tried to keep him away from the one taking the video clip. The recorder accused Apacible of kicking his car multiple times, and asked why the Blue Eagle was being allowed to drive away drunk.

(Read: Ateneo’s Apacible to face game, practice suspensions after ‘drunk driving’ incident)

The person who submitted the video, according to Top Gear’s post, claimed Apacible assaulted a delivery van driver and was hitting passing cars as well. 

Making matters worse, Apacible was also seen flaunting a “Councilor” plate in the early parts of the video.

Apacible was not arrested despite the presence of police and the existing Republic Act No. 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 which states in Section 5 that: “It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs and/or other similar substances.”

“Alam naman ni John na mali yung ginawa niya (John knows what he did was wrong), but as his teammates, nanduon kami (we’re there) for him. We want him to be better,” said Blue Eagles head coach Bo Perasol, who also stated that Apacible’s mistake does not “define him as a man.”

(VLOG: Perasol says Apacible should learn his lesson)

Ravena also says that he feels empathy toward his 6-foot-4 teammate considering the amount of castigation he’s been receiving on social media.

“Nakakaawa yung bata eh (I pity the kid), because he’s getting cyber-bullied,” said the reigning UAAP MVP, who added that Apacible will face the consequences of his incident with his teammates having his back.

“I mean, if he felt like, as Coach Bo said, and our management said, he felt like a man doing that, he should face it like a man with the consequences, but kahit ano mang yari, nanduon kami sa likod niya (whatever happens, we’re behind him),” said Ravena.

“Hindi namin sinasabi na tama yung ginawa niya (we’re not saying what he did was right), but as teammates, we can’t judge someone because of that lang. Yung buong pagkatao niya, ganyan na siya (His whole personality is like that). John’s a good kid, makes mistakes, he’s going to learn from it. Too bad he’s going to learn it the hard way, but we’re behind him. Yun lang (That’s it). We’re really behind him.”

The Blue Eagles will play next against the NU Bulldogs on Sunday, October 25. – Rappler.com