THIS should serve as a stern warning for PBA players: Think twice, or even thrice, before playing in unsanctioned leagues.
Rain or Shine has slapped big man Beau Belga a six-day suspension without pay for his involvement in a brawl in a basketball game in Cebu.
A video of the fracas that also involved NLEX center JR Quiñahan went viral over the weekend.
“(The) Rain or Shine team management has suspended Beau Belga for six (6) working days without pay due to his involvement in an unsanctioned basketball game in Cebu,” Rain or Shine said on its social media page yesterday. “Further investigations will be conducted internally.”
Aside from Belga and Quiñahan, former teammates at the Elasto Painters, Robert Bolick of NorthPort and Magnolia’s Jio Jalalon beefed up a Cebuano all-star crew dubbed Northball against an import-backed Sirius Star squad composed of streetballers from the United States in an exhibition game at the Carmen Municipal Gym.
In the course of the game, Quiñahan got into a fist fight with a foreign player and Belga reacted by throwing the ball to the opposing player.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial is set to summon the players who saw action in match.
The pro league has a rule prohibiting players from seeing action in an unsanctioned game or “ligang labas” event unless they were allowed by their mother teams. Marcial warned the players of possible hefty fines or other repercussions if and when they are proven to have violated the rule.
Quiñahan reportedly could possibly have his contract rescinded since he has not yet practiced or played under Road Warriors coach Frankie Lim due to injury and yet suited up in an unauthorized tiff.
