Araña shares playful act with ex-teammate Belga in temper-filled game

The Batang Pier guard provides one of the few light moments in a game that sees two players ejected and 4 slapped with technical fouls

Delfin Dioquino

Published 10:02 PM, May 20, 2018

Updated 10:06 PM, May 20, 2018

BROTHERLY BOND. Ryan Araña makes it a point to show former teammate Beau Belga some love. Photo from PBA Images

MANILA, Philippines – In a game that saw tempers flare, two players ejected and 4 slapped with technical fouls, Ryan Araña provided the comic relief.

Araña tried to light things up in the wake of a near-scuffle between GlobalPort's Kelly Nabong and Rain or Shine's Maverick Ahanmisi as he shared a silly moment with former teammate Beau Belga during their 90-96 loss to the Elasto Painters on Sunday, May 20.

The 35-year-old guard was seen playfully wiping Belga's sweat with his towel in front of the Batang Pier bench right after Ahanmisi and Nabong almost came to blows during a loose ball play.

"'Yung ginawa ko naman kay Beau is parang ano lang eh, pagmamahal lang ng dating teammate. Yun lang. Okay lang din naman kay Beau 'yun, lagi ko naman ginagawa 'yun," said Araña.

(What I did to Beau was just me showing love to my former teammate. That's it. It's okay with Beau since he is used to me doing that to him.)

"Natutumba siya, nandodoon lang ako lagi, gagawa ako ng medyo konting bangga or konting sapak sa mukha, pero di naman malakas 'yun. So parang pagmamahal ng tropa 'yun."

(Every time he goes down, I'm always there and I will give him a slight bump or punch. It's like brotherly love for us.)

While he entertained fans with antics, Araña was one of the 4 players whistled for technicals fouls for leaving their benches to enter the playing court.

Still, he said he understands the officials' decision.

"Well syempre rules nila 'yun no, na bawal pumasok ng court kahit na 'di mo naman gusto manakit or makasakit doon sa loob 'no," said Araña.

(That's the rule, that we are not allowed to enter the court even if we do not intend to harm anyone.)

"So siguro tanggapin ko na lang, kausapin ko na lang si commissioner, hingi na lang ako dispensa, tsaka papaliwanag ko na lang din 'yung part ko."

(I will just accept it and I will talk to the commissioner, say sorry and explain my side.)

Araña and the Batang Pier eye to bounce back from the loss when they meet the Alaska Aces on June 2 at the Araneta Coliseum. – Rappler.com