For Almond Vosotros, his journey within the 2023 Southeast Asian Games continues regardless of his title being concerned in game-fixing allegations in Singapore courts.
The Straits Times reported final week {that a} Singaporean was charged with graft because the native allegedly tried to affect basketball video games within the Philippines and Thailand by providing bribes.
Vosotros’ title was amongst those that had been allegedly supplied bribes whereas he was taking part in in Thailand. But he stated he dismissed the report at first.
“Honestly, pagkabasa ko noon… di ko naman pinansin eh,” Vosotros, a member of the Philippine nationwide crew 3×3 basketball pool, instructed reporters on Monday within the send-off ceremony for athletes becoming a member of the 2023 Southeast Asian Games.
“May mga nagmessage sa aking mga reporters, asking, sabi di ko alam ‘yan, tsaka honestly, di ko ‘yan gagawin. ‘Yun lang. As in, di ko pinansin. Kasi honestly, di ko naman ginawa,” he added.
(“Honestly, when I first read, I ignored it… There were reporters who messaged me asking, I said I didn’t know about it, and honestly, I would not do that. I just ignored it. Because honestly, I didn’t do it.”)
Vosotros instructed GMA Integrated News on Sunday that he was shocked by the report and reiterated that he doesn’t know the individual charged within the case.
“Unang-una, nagulat ako kasi everyone knows naman I played sa Thailand in 2018. And honestly, hindi ko talaga alam ‘yan at saka hindi ko gagawin yan. You guys know what’s my career [in] high school, to college to pro, and to Gilas. As in. Hindi ko nga kilala ‘yung tao na ‘yun eh,” he stated.
(“First of all, I was surprised because everyone knows naman I played sa Thailand in 2018. And honetly, I didn’t know about that case and I would have never done it. You guys know what’s my career, high school to college to pro, and to Gilas. As in. I don’t even know that person.”)
The former La Salle guard, nevertheless, admitted receiving messages and listening to speak however said that he by no means paid any consideration to these.
“Honestly, in Thailand, ‘yung pangalawang balik ko, meron mga nagme-message, meron kumakausap during games pero di ko naman pinapansin. As in, focus lang ako sa game every time,” he stated.
(“Honestly, in Thailand, my second time to return, there were some people who would message and there are some who try to talk during games but I ignored that. As in, I just focused on the game every time.”)
Like PBA participant Ian Sangalang, whose title was additionally talked about within the allegations however who has since denied the allegations, Vosotros stated he’s keen to take authorized motion to clear his title.
“Para malinis ‘yung name ko, kung kailangan, gagawin ko,” stated the PBA 3×3 athlete.
(“I will do what I have to to clear my name.”)
For now, Vosotros was glad to be with fellow athletes throughout the send-off ceremony.
“‘Yung motivation at gigil parang nandoon, sobrang exciting.”
(“The motivation and anticipation is there, it’s very exciting.”)
The biennial meet will happen from May 5 to 17 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
