UE's Wello Lingolingo. UAAP Media
ILAGAN, Isabela — University of the East (UE) team captain Wello Lingolingo apologized to De La Salle University's Kean Baclaan after their heated incident that led to the latter's injury, which will keep the Green Archer out of the rest of UAAP Season 88.
In a lengthy post on his social media account late Thursday night, Lingolingo addressed Baclaan, his family, and supporters, expressing remorse for what happened.
During their game on Wednesday, Lingolingo inadvertently hit Baclaan's knee during a play on a loose ball at the 4:21 mark in the fourth quarter, leading to the La Salle star's MCL tear.
The league called it "excessive and forceful contact."
READ: UAAP: UE's Lingolingo suspended for 3 games after unsportsmanlike foul
"First and foremost, I would like to sincerely apologize to Kean Baclaan, to his family, to his team, and to everyone affected by the incident. I am truly sorry sa nangyari," said the Red Warrior.
The UE guard asserted that he would not deliberately hurt anyone, and he just went to fight for possession.
"It was never my intention to hurt anyone. I was simply going for a usual loose ball dive, something we players instinctively do in the heat of the game," he said.
As he reflected on his beginnings in Mindanao, Lingolingo went on to say that this incident would make him a "better and more responsible player."
"Moving forward, I accept this experience as a lesson to become a better and more responsible player," he said. "Maraming salamat sa aking mga coaches, teammates, sa UE community, at sa lahat ng patuloy na sumusuporta at nagdarasal para sa akin."
READ: UAAP: La Salle’s Kean Baclaan out for rest of Season 88 after MCL tear
Lingolingo was slapped with a three-game suspension, which he would serve starting Sunday, October 19, against Far Eastern University, and will continue to serve his suspension for the first two games of the second round.
Baclaan, for his part, called for calm as he appealed to the public to stop bashing Lingolingo.
Sharing Tiebreaker Times' report on the matter, the La Salle standout said he would now focus on his recovery.
"Guys! Please wag nyo bash si Wello Lingolingo sadya man or hinde kasama talaga yan sa larangan na ginagalawan namen. Okay na kame at nakapag usap na kame at naka hingi na sya ng pasensya saken," he said on his Facebook post.
"Makaka move on din ang lahat sa ngayon focus muna ko sa rehab ko and maka recover ng mas maayus at mas [malakas]," the Green Archer added.