Coach Elvis Tolentino, the owner and head coach of the Marikina Shoemasters team in the MPBL, is currently in hot water after a video of him hitting Felipe Chavez during a timeout is circulating on social media. While the fans' reactions online are mostly hostile, Coach Elvis Tolentino found allies in former PBA players Willie Miller and Ryan Araña.
Willie Miller finds Coach Tolentino's action acceptable. In the PBAmotoclub Team Amazing's vlog on youtube, Miller said "Dapat pinagbabanatan ‘yung mga bata ngayon. Pati ‘yung mga parents ang aarte niyong mga hayop kayo, dati sinisikmuraan todo, ngayon gusto niyo bine-baby anak niyo."
Ryan Araña echoed Miller's sentiments. He experienced harsh words from Coach Yeng Guiao so he is not new to tough coaching styles. ""Kay coach Yeng mas masakit pa nga kapag minumura ka, lalaitin ka. Sinuntok ka lang e, e nakikipagsikuhan ka nga sa basketball sa mukha e, anong masama doon? Parang dinibdiban ka lang. Kumbaga parang ginising ka lang."
Be that as it may, Araña clarified that he does not condone violence. He considers the punch as part of basketball which was done to fire up a player. "Ako hindi natin tino-tolerate, hindi natin ine-encourage, pero normal ‘yun e sa basketball, ‘yung ganung klase ng treatment. Hindi naman sa mukha, parang ginising ka lang," he adds.