A verbal tussle between NorthPort team manager Pido Jarencio and NLEX import Thomas Robinson painted an ugly end to a highly physical and emotional encounter between the two teams on Wednesday, Nov. 22, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Jarencio was heard hurling expletives – some of which were threats – toward the NLEX dugout after the Road Warriors pulled off a 112-104 victory over the Batang Pier.

Witnesses' accounts said Jarencio was shouting at Robinson who then already walked his way toward the NLEX dugout.

Before the incident, Robinson was seen in television cameras confronting Jarencio and NorthPort team governor Erick Arejola after the customary coaches' hand shake before cooler heads managed to separate them.

Robinson, however, waited at the tunnel toward the two team's dugouts where the shouting match then ensued.

Officials from both teams, including NLEX head coach Frankie Lim and PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, acted as pacifier to the altercation before both teams headed to their respective dugouts.

Tempers first flared in the third quarter when Robinson and NorthPort forward JM Calma got physical with each other resulting in a verbal spat between Robinson and Arejola, and eventually, Jarencio, who came into the defense of the NorthPort governor, as well.

A technical foul on Robinson for use of profane language seemed to have put the NLEX's import focus back to the game but immediately went back at confronting the NorthPort officials as soon as the final buzzer sounded.

Asked about the post-game encounter, Robinson played down the incident, saying that he was just competing and the Batang Pier were just upset about the loss.

"He's just upset they lost. We won," said Robinson. "He's competing. I'm competing, that's all."

Members of the press tried to seek reaction from Jarencio after the game but the 59-year-old former NorthPort coach left the venue shortly after the incident.