Ni Edwin Rollon
IKINALUGOD ni Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham ‘Baham’ Mitra ang desisyon batay sa ‘self-regulation’ ng pamunuan ng VisMin Pilipinas Super Cup bilang pagpapahalaga sa integridad ng liga at ng sports sa pangkalahatan.
Ayon kay Mitra ang pagpapataw ng ‘banned’ sa Siquijor squad at pagbibigay ng karampatang multa sa mga sangkot na players at opisyal ay pagpapatunay na walang lugar sa professional sports ang kabalbalan at kawalan ng respeto sa basketball.
“We commend the swift action of the Vismin management. We have been in close coordination with them and support their decision,” pahayag ng dating Palawan Governor at Congressman.
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“Based on the reports submitted to us by our sports regulators on the ground and according to the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup's decision, the Board has decided to adopt and support the league's verdict, as we always adhere to the policy of self-regulation in the field of professional sports.
“Nevertheless, the Board is always ready to intercede in order to maintain fair play and ensure proper compliance with administrative due process by the league.
“We also hope that this incident will serve as a warning to the professional leagues, athletes, and game officials to not take advantage of the opportunities given to them by the government to practice their professions, especially during these challenging times,” aniya.
Hindi naman itinanggi ni Mitra ang posibilidad na bawian ng lisensiya ang mga sangkot na players at opisyal, ngunit isasaalang-alang muna umano ng GAB ang matatanggap na report mula sa kanilang kinatawan sa liga.
“As to the players license revocation, while we respect the league rules, we will base our decision on report from our own people on the ground and move of VisMin but giving all parties concerned due process,” pahayag ni Mitra.
“As to the League, we are watching them closely and issue reminders to them. We assure baskeball fans and the public that we are on the ground and making sure integrity of professional sports is upheld at all times,” aniya.
Pinatawan ng banned ang buong Siquijor Mystics team nitong Huwebes bunsod nang pambababoy sa laro na tila batay sa ‘game-fixing’ kung saan maging ang simpleng layup ay isinasablay, habang suspinsido at pinagmulta rin ang ilang player ng ARQ Builders Lapu-Lapu na tila kakutsaba sa pagbebenta ng laro. Wala namang kongretong edidensiya na naipakita ang liga hingil sa isyu ng game-fixing sa naganap na laro nitong Miyerkoles kung saan natapos ang halftime sa 27-13.
Pinatalsik sa liga sina Joshua Alcober, Ryan Buenafe, Jojo Tangcay, Jan Penaflor, Gene Bellaza, Michael Calomot, Frederick Rodriguez, Jopet Quiro, Isagani Gooc, Miguel Castellano, Juan Aspiras, Peter Buenafe, at Michael Sereno, gayundin si d coach Joel Palapal at buong staff. Binalewala rin ang dalawang laro ng Siquijor.
Sinuspinde naman sa buong season at pinagmulta ng P15,000 ang ARQ-Lapu Lapu player na si Rendell Senining, tumira sa free throw ng kaliwa’t kanan na pawang sablay.
Suspindido naman sa buong first round at pinagmulta ng tig-P15,00 sina Hercules Tangkay, Reed Juntilla, Monbert Arong, Dawn Ochea, at Ferdinand Lusdoc, gayundin si coach Francis Auquico, na may multang P30,000 at coaching staff na sina assistants Jerry Abuyabor, Alex Cainglet, John Carlo Nuyles, Hamilton Tundag, at Roger Justin Potpot bukod sa multang 20,000.
