University of the Philippines (UP) president Danilo Concepcion has disowned the controversial posts of Regent Frederick “Spocky” Farolan that threatened players of Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) with injury in Game 2 of the UAAP Finals.
In a statement late Sunday night, Concepcion said that the university denounced the comments and the posts of Farolan, who is a member of the Board of Regents of UP.
“While this regent has deleted the post and has apologized for its contents, claiming that they were made in jest, I wish to make it clear the University of the Philippines takes these statements seriously and dissociates itself from the post and from the actuations of this regent, matters which I intend to take up with the Board of Regents,” Concepcion said.
“They do not in any way represent the values of the University, and the high esteem in which it holds sportsmanship, fair play, and civility in athletics as well as in other aspects of our academic and social life,” he added.
Tensions between supporters of UP and the ADMU rose Saturday during Game 1 of the basketball championship game of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
The Blue Eagles bested the Fighting Maroons with a score of 88-79, leading the best of three series. Game 2 is set for Wednesday.
READ: Ravena, Nieto push Ateneo past UP in Game 1 of UAAP Finals
However, in a now-deleted Facebook post, Farolan said three Ateneo players would get hurt before Game 2.
“Sayang hindi kumpleto ang players ng Ateneo sa Wednesday. Tatlo injured. Pili na kung sinu-sino mga yon,” (It would be a shame that Ateneo would lack players on Wednesday. Three would be injured. Take your pick who those would be) he said.
Farolan suggested that a “composite strike team for all UP fraternities” form a “solidarity” to inflict damage to the chosen three players of ADMU.
He added that a brawl between fraternities from both universities take place during the halftime show, calling it an “old school suntukan.”
Farolan said UAAP officials who would see his post could give UP a technical foul for having “rabid social medial supporters.”
Farolan later deleted his statements, saying these could get misinterpreted.
“To be clear, as I mentioned in a comment there, violence, especially frat-related ones are barbaric, machismo, stupid and arrogant. There was sarcasm in that comment which may not have been immediately and easily perceived by some,” he said.
“Anyway, deleted the post just in case some interpret it wrong. Though sayang talaga if any of the teams lack members this Wednesday due to injuries,” he added. /cbb