UNIVERSITY of the Philippines forward James Payosing played down a brief confrontation with Ateneo de Manila University guard Jared Bahay during their UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball game last Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The incident occurred during UP’s 94-75 victory over the Blue Eagles on September 19, when Payosing’s hand made contact with the neck area of Bahay during a physical sequence.
Bahay appeared unhappy with the contact, prompting teammates from both sides to step in and separate the two players before the situation escalated.
Payosing later treated the incident lightly, describing it as part of the physical nature of the game and joking that the exchange was simply a familiar form of interaction between two players from the Visayas.
“Siyempre Bisaya iyun, sanay iyun sa lambingan, kaming mga Bisaya eh. And the coaches told us na we expect na maging pisikal iyung game. And iyun nga, hindi ako nagulat na naging physical sila,” Payosing said in an interview with DWAR Abante Radyo’s Sports Now.
Payosing was named Player of the Game after scoring 18 points, including 11 in the second half, as UP remained unbeaten at 2-0.
Bahay led Ateneo with 17 points, but his performance was not enough to prevent the Blue Eagles from absorbing their first defeat of the season.
The result left UP at 2-0 in the UAAP Season 89 standings, while Ateneo dropped to 1-1. (Adrian Co)
