The UAAP has initiated an investigation into an incident involving a player from the UST Junior Golden Booters who punched an opponent during the finals match of the boys’ football tournament against the FEU Diliman Baby Tamaraws on Feb. 29 at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
Following the FEU-D Baby Tamaraws’ 3-0 victory over the Junior Golden Booters, FEU-D defender Bryan Ezekiel Villanueva approached the UST bench and gestured toward the UST team and crowd by putting his hands on his ears.
In response, UST’s substitute goalkeeper Ben Sabuga ran toward Villanueva and threw punches, prompting the UST coaching staff to intervene immediately.
damn uaap football is wild pic.twitter.com/gONRfeXGHV
— kaki (@hoonciaga) February 29, 2024
Season 86 Commissioner Rely San Agustin said the league was gathering all sides involved to address and resolve the incident.
“We have requested for statements from each individual involved in the incident,” he said. “Once complete, I will present all evidence to the UAAP Disciplinary Committee for review and deliberation. This could take at most two weeks.”
In a statement issued after the incident, the Junior Golden Booters acknowledged the unsportsmanlike behavior displayed by UST but also condemned the “disrespect” shown by their opponents.
“We do not condone these reactions by our players as we strongly believe that violence has no place in sports,” the statement wrote. “But we also do not tolerate disrespect and rude behavior towards opponents, coaching staff, and supporters.”
The incident stained the Junior Golden Booters’ historic first trip to the finals.
