San Juan head coach Yong Garcia took to social media, making a public apology to Lord Casajeros, Valenzuela City, San Juan, and to the entire Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League on Tuesday.

Last night, Garcia was caught spitting at Cajeros moments before the halftime break of the game held at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

And he offered no excuses.

“As a father and a coach, I love my players dearly and would defend them to the best that I can. Last night’s incident was triggered by multiple uncalled for events amongst players,” said the trusted deputy of Randy Alcantara. “I was merely asking for a player to stop hurting one of our players but was met by multiple foul languages. The protective coach in me felt the need to find a way to make this player stop what he was doing.

“But ultimately, the end [doesn’t] justify the means.”

Things got chippy between Valenzuela and San Juan last night.

Judel Fuentes committed a foul on Casajeros that almost resulted in a confrontation. Irked, San Juan assistant coach Garcia went to Casejeros and spat on his shoulder.

It resulted in Garcia’s ejection. The league is also set to declare its verdict later in the day.

“My actions were uncalled for and I could have handled it so much better. There is no place for that behaviour in sports. I am truly truly sorry. I am fully committed to setting my path straight and winning the community’s trust back,” his statement continued.

“But ultimately, the end [doesn’t] justify the means.”

Things got chippy between Valenzuela and San Juan last night.

Judel Fuentes committed a foul on Casajeros that almost resulted in a confrontation. Irked, San Juan assistant coach Garcia went to Casejeros and spat on his shoulder.

It resulted in Garcia’s ejection. The league is also set to declare its verdict later in the day.

“My actions were uncalled for and I could have handled it so much better. There is no place for that behaviour in sports. I am truly truly sorry. I am fully committed to setting my path straight and winning the community’s trust back,” his statement continued.

“I seek for everyone’s forgiveness and I accept the full consequences of the incident.”

The Casajeros family, meanwhile, is seeking that the Games and Amusements Board also take action on the incident.

As a result, San Juan-Go for Gold took the initiative to hand out their own sanction on disgraced assistant coach Yong Garcia on Tuesday.

The Knights’ management has suspended Garcia for one whole month without pay for the spitting incident that occurred between him and Valenzuela’s Lord Casajeros on Monday evening.

“San Juan-Go For Gold with our highest standard in the sports industry is hereby suspending Assistant Coach Efren Garcia for one month without any allowances and incentives in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League regular season 2022,” read the team’s statement.

“With much to our regret, the suspension will take effect immediately.”

Garcia spat on the right shoulder of Casajeros with just a minute left before halftime.

Randy Alcantara’s lead assistant explained that his frustration with how Casajeros plays led to it, an act he would later on regret.

Garcia had issued a public apology earlier in the day.

San Juan, meanwhile, stressed that it will not tolerate such acts.

“Our management will not tolerate such unethical acts that damaged our beloved city and our name in basketball.”

Meanwhile, the league commissioner Kenneth Duremdes also fined Garcia P60,000.

“MPBL condemns any and all kinds of unsportsmanlike conduct, especially deliberate acts of violence,” the league said in a statement.

“May this be a reminder to everyone who wishes to tarnish the reputation and image of not just the league and all of its stakeholders but the game of basketball itself.”