MANILA, Philippines – De La Salle University center Ben Mbala insists he did not mean to hurt Ateneo point guard Matt Nieto, even as he also expressed disappointment at how the Blue Eagle's father, Jet, allegedly reacted to the incident.

Even in the wake of the Blue Eagles' 76-70 win over the Green Archers in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 80 finals, plenty of attention was still focused on the incident that transpired late in the second quarter of the series opener on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Mbala accidentally elbowed Nieto in his face while trying to spin to the basket with some 36 seconds to go in the second quarter, sending the Ateneo guard crashing to the floor, face first. When he got up, his face was a bloody mask as Mbala's elbow had inadvertently opened up a cut above his left eyebrow.

Matt Nieto left bloodied after the accidental hit. (⚠️ Warning: Graphic Image) #UAAPSeason80 pic.twitter.com/7RW8Ley8IM

— ABS-CBN Sports (@abscbnsports) November 25, 2017

To make matters worse, it was Nieto who was called for the foul. He was immediately subbed out of the game to get treatment at the Ateneo dugout.

After the game, Mbala made it clear that he had no intention to hurt Nieto, further pointing out that the Ateneo guard was actually late to make the defensive rotation, which led to their unfortunate collision.

"It's part of basketball. I had the ball. I spun, he was late on the rotation or the double, that's why he got hit," said Mbala. "I didn't intend to hit him or hurt him."

Mbala was adamant that such incidents happen often in contact sports, which was why he was shocked to see the furious response of whom he believes was Nieto's father, Jet, at the stands.

"I don't know why his dad is cursing at me and threatening me," said the 6-foot-8 center. "That is not something you should be doing."

"He's been in the world of sport for quite some time, and we all know that things like that happen all the time. He should just know I did not intend to hurt his son," added Mbala.

"I just spun there, and his son was late."

Mbala claimed that the Nieto patriarch was "threatening me and pointing at me, telling me I am dead."

Nieto eventually returned to the game in the third quarter, and wound up with 11 points, two rebounds, and three assists in the win. The incident also fired up his twin brother, Mike, who scored 11 points in the second half to Ateneo seal the victory.

Mbala was limited to only eight points in the loss, his lowest output ever in the UAAP. At the end of the day, he said he will just let go of what he heard from the stands.

"I don't want to mind that. I'll just say he was probably in the emotion of the game, seeing his son on the floor, bloody," Mbala said. "It is part of the game, I usually just let it go and focus on Game 2."

Game 2 is on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

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