MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel veteran, Ronald Tubid has admitted he was taken aback and infuriated when he punched a fan dressed as Spiderman who disrupted Game 5 of the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup finals on May 10.
The man, later on identified as Paolo Felizarta, rushed to the court of the Araneta Coliseum flashing a placard that said: “Vote! Love!” In so doing, he accidentally hit June Mar Fajardo on his right jaw while running.
Felizarta was immediately apprehended by security personnel before he was punched on the back of his head by Tubid as he exited the court, Rappler reported.
Tubid said he just acted in defense of his teammate.
“Nagdilim paningin ko. ‘Di ko lubos matanggap na bakit. As a veteran, kailangan ko ipagtanggol teammate ko,” the 37-year-old guard was quoted by media as saying after being caught on camera landing the punch.
Tubid, though, conceded he should not have resorted to violence.
“Hindi natin alam kung ano nasa mind niya. Pero sa nagawa ko, ako ‘yung humihingi ng sorry. Kasi mali rin, eh,” he said.
“If there’s something wrong with his mind – kung sira ulo ba or ano – kailangan maintindihan eh. Dapat ‘di ko ginawa.”
Felizarta was adamant he meant no harm, saying he had trouble seeing through his mask when he bumped Fajardo.
Other placards recovered from him had “peace for the Philippines,” “support PBA” and “Filipinos unite as one!” written on them.
Felizarte was detained at Station 7 of the Quezon City Police District and faces charges of unjust vexation and alarm and scandal from the PBA. It was gathered his relatives are mulling pressing charges against Tubid. (Spiderman pic courtesy of CNN Philippines)
