Magnolia Hotshots forward Ian Sangalang has vehemently denied allegations that he intentionally poked Rain or Shine import Aaron Fuller in the eye during their Governors' Cup quarterfinals match.
Sangalang, who was fined P20,000 for the incident, insists that the contact with Fuller's eye was accidental and a result of the physicality of the game. He points out that as a veteran player with a clean record, it would be out of character for him to intentionally injure an opponent.
"I'm not that kind of person," Sangalang said. "I couldn't have done that on purpose. It was an accident."
The Magnolia player explained that the contact occurred when Fuller deflected his shot, causing their hands to collide. Sangalang claimed that he was caught off guard and that his finger inadvertently made contact with Fuller's eye.
"I was trying to shoot, and he blocked my shot. Our hands collided, and unfortunately, my finger hit his eye. It was an accident," Sangalang said.
While Sangalang maintains his innocence, the PBA has already levied a fine against him. However, many fans and analysts believe that the fine is a lenient punishment for such a serious offense. If Sangalang were to repeat such an action, a more severe penalty, such as a suspension, would be warranted.
Despite the incident, Sangalang and Fuller seem to have moved on. The two players were seen conversing before Game Four, and Sangalang expressed his concern for Fuller's well-being.
As the PBA continues to investigate the incident, it remains to be seen if any further disciplinary action will be taken against Sangalang. For now, the Magnolia forward will have to live with the consequences of his actions and hope to put the incident behind him.
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