Player slapped by SWU coach Alcoseba refuses to play

What has been a season to forget so far for the Southwestern University Cobras has taken a turn for the worst after their best point guard, Joseph Airo Nalos Jr., has taken an excused leave of absence from the team after he was allegedly slapped by head coach, Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba during their game against the University of the Visayas Green Lancers in the Cesafi last Sunday.

Hopes were high for the Cobras this season after they fell short of capturing the title by a mere game last year.

With the addition of talented Cameroonian Ben Mbala to their fold, pundits were raving about SWU’s chances of dominating the competition this year.

However, that has not been the case as the Cobras have limped to a 2-3 (win-loss) record, capped by their 86-95 loss to bitter rivals, UV, last Sunday. The story of that game though, was not the loss but an incident that happened in the first half between Nalos and Alcoseba.

According to Nalos, during a timeout, he was slapped on his left cheek by the right hand of Alcoseba as he was being berated for his inconsistent play. The incident reportedly traumatized the youngster which led to his decision to take a break.

“Gihapak man jud akong nawong. Nasakitan ko ug nauwaw. Nawad-an nako ug gana muduwa ato,” said Nalos in an exclusive interview with Cebu Daily News yesterday.

Nalos’ father, Joseph, who witnessed the incident from the bleachers along with the rest of his family, was shocked by the act and said that if it were up to him, his son would never play again for SWU.

“Wala nako gipaskwela akong anak para ana-on. Sa tibuok kinabuhi sa akoang anak, wala jud ko nakadapat ana niya. Taman ra jud ko ug tambag,” said the elder Nalos. He also added that they are still contemplating what their next move is but high on the list a complaint which will be filed at SWU as well as at the Cesafi.

PSYCHIATRIC HELP

SWU athletic director, Ryan Aznar, understood the situation and gave his player his full support. “He’s in a trauma. It’s in my mind to bring him to a psychiatrist. I spoke with him last Sunday and the first thing I told him was that I would understand if he decided to stop playing for the school. The only thing I asked of him was that he doesn’t stop attending his classes. I am always after the athletes’ future. Mas ma-proud pako na makakuha sila ug degree rather than end up na dili makahuman,” said Aznar.

Aznar also added that they have yet to receive the official complaint from the elder Nalos and said that they would act upon it the moment they have it.

For his part, Alcoseba said that he was just trying to toughen up his player. “I just wanted to toughen him up. He was playing like he wasn’t there. But I will meet with him tomorrow (today) and I will apologize. If he decides not to play anymore, then that will be his decision to make,” said Alcoseba in a talk with this writer yesterday.