Fan airs side, wants fair probe by PBA, GAB

MANILA, Philippines – Sta. Lucia’s Marlou Aquino is not yet off the hook following his altercation with a male PBA fan after the Realtors’ bitter loss to Burger King last Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Jitesh Gidwani, the Indian national who was involved in the incident, yesterday reinforced his earlier statement that he was punched in the face by the 6-foot-9 player during the commotion.

Gidwani, 24, aired his side on the unfortunate incident during a visit to The STAR office. He said he is “not precluding” his right to file criminal and other charges against his assailants.

“I just want justice. That’s just a terrible act. Without me saying anything profane it’s just shocking. Marlou confronted me by using his hands,” said Gidwani, of San Antonio Village in Makati.

Gidwani said a few others helped Aquino gang up on him. He even alleged that Sta. Lucia team manager Buddy Encarnado, whom he recalled as “the one with the moustache,” hit him, too.

Gidwani, who earned a degree in marketing and advertising last year in Australia, said he came to the game with a female companion “just to unwind, relax and enjoy the game.”

Gidwani said his friend was traumatized by the incident, and left his mother, an Indian-Filipino, “very worried and very mad.”

He was also surprised at how PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios, who imposed a P20,000 fine on Aquino, concluded “there was no physical contact from Marlou” without getting his side.

“Now the options are there (court case). But the key is for this thing never to happen again to anyone. It was unfair to me,” said Gidwani, barely 5-foot-8.

“Just look at me. Do I look like a threat to anyone? Marlou punched me. And I never hit back. No, you can’t defend yourself against five persons,” he said.

Gidwani, born and raised in the Philippines, said a verbal spat with Aquino’s daughter who sat a few seats away as he watched the game led to the incident that was not caught on television.

He has also sought the help of the Games and Amusements Board.