MANILA — Rain or Shine reinforcement Jaylen Johnson issued an apology after trading punches with TNT's Glenn Khobuntin in their PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup match on Friday at the Big Dome.
Johnson and Khobuntin figured in a tussle with more than six minutes left in the ballgame, with the import claiming that it was the TNT local who threw the first blow.
"I really don't know what happened. I mean, I thought we was playing good basketball. And then next thing you know, I tried to get position. And then out of nowhere, he hit me. I mean, like I said, it was intense play. I mean, he's a cool dude. I don't know why that happened, but like I said, sometimes I just hone in my emotions. But like I say, I mean, in the natural, he hit me first," Johnson shared with reporters.
READ: PBA: Rain or Shine survives Bol Bol explosion, Jaylen Johnson ejection to fend off TNT
He promised to do better next time, vowing he won't fall victim to his emotions in case something similar happens.
"I mean, I didn't want that to happen, but it happened how it happened. And I'm sorry how it happened. It won't happen again. I guess that was a lesson learned... In the future, I mean, like I said, I'll be better in that situation," Johnson added.
Johnson said it was not the image he wanted to portray in the PBA.
"I want to apologize to PBA because that's not the character I want to show," he said.
"Like I said, sorry to me, sorry to the team, sorry to him too. But like I said, that's not the image I want to portray."
Sharing his side, Khobuntin admitted the emotions got the better of him.
"Wala, mataas masyado 'yung emotions, siyempre dikit 'yung game, nagkagulo. 'Yun lang naman," said the TNT player.
"Nagkapisikalan kasi ta's medyo nag-swing-swing, so wala na 'kong nagawa," he added.
Both were ejected after the incident with the Elasto Painters going all-Filipino since then.
Adrian Nocum stepped up, nailing the most crucial basket — over 7-foot-3 Bol Bol — to edge TNT, ultimately, sealing their second win.