MANILA, Philippines – Rico Villanueva and Ryan Arana sustained bruises in their faces and bodies as they figured in a wild brawl that forced the stoppage of the NLEX-Rain or Shine tune-up match at the Meralco Gym in Pasig Friday.
The two players, rivals from their collegiate days with Ateneo and La Salle, went after each other, trading punches then getting entangled in a virtual wrestling match on the floor after Villanueva gave a driving Arana a hard foul. The RoS wingman then retaliated by throwing the ball to the NLEX forward.
Both teams left their benches and rushed to the hard court, but witnesses weren’t certain if any one joined the fight.
“Everyone was on the floor, but probably they’re there just to help separate Rico and Ryan. It’s not clear to me as the players in front of me are so big, I didn’t see all the things that had happened,” NLEX team manager Ronald Dolatre told The STAR.
“It’s a fight that went all the way down the floor. Rico ended up bloodied as he’s bit by Ryan, as Rico later told us,” Dolatre also said.
Rain or Shine was holding a 23-22 edge as the fight erupted at the start of the second quarter.
A PBA official called for the cancellation of the match even as the two teams were hoping the referees just eject the erring players then let the game continue.
“It’s very unfortunate especially with the two teams engaged in a good, exciting match,” said Dolatre.
“Apparently, Rico was hit in an earlier play. With no call from the refs, he got back at Arana in the next play. And as Arana threw the ball at Rico, nagkagulo na,” Dolatre also said.
“I’ve already sent Rico to Medical City to have him checked,” the NLEX official added.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao talked to both Villanueva and Arana before the two players left the venue.
“We let coach Yeng talk to Rico since he used to be Rico’s coach. Mukhang pinagkamay nya yung dalawa,” said Dolatre.
Villanueva was under Guiao at Red Bull when he figured in a fight with another former La Salle player Joseph Yeo at the Araneta Coliseum parking lot a few years back.
It came on the heels of an on-court fight between the two players during a La Salle-Ateneo dream match also at the Big Dome.
Despite the incident, officials of Rain or Shine and NLEX were to continue to talk about a trade involving Kevin Alas.
“We may come up with something within the day,” said Dolatre.