UAAP: UST Junior Golden Booters Address Controversial Incident
MANILA, Philippines – The UST Junior Golden Booters have spoken out about the recent altercation involving their goalkeeper, Ben Sabuga, and FEU Baby Tamaraws defender Bryan Villanueva during the UAAP boys’ football final.
Two Sides of the Story
The Junior Golden Booters urge fans to consider both perspectives of the incident that occurred after the Baby Tamaraws’ victory in the UAAP Season 86 boys’ football tournament.
While celebrating, Villanueva passed by the UST bench and made gestures towards the spectators, prompting Sabuga to react by punching him at the back of the head.
Call for Fair Assessment
In a statement shared on their Instagram account, the Junior Golden Booters highlighted the need for a fair assessment of the situation. They emphasized that while they do not condone violence, disrespect towards opponents should also be addressed.
The team acknowledged Sabuga’s actions as unacceptable but stressed the importance of condemning disrespectful behavior from all parties involved.
Internal Response
Following the incident, Sabuga received reprimand from UST coach Marjo Allado, and the team assured that they are handling the matter internally.
The Junior Golden Booters emphasized their commitment to sportsmanship, respect, and fair play, acknowledging that some players may have fallen short of these values during the incident.
They requested understanding and impartiality from the public in assessing the situation objectively.