HEFTIER fines? Or, God forbid, will they walk scot-free?
These are some of the burning questions expected to be answered today when PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial sits down with the players who saw action and got involved in a brawl in a “ligang-labas” in Cebu nearly two weeks ago.
“Pag-uusapan namin kung ano ba ang nangyari, pinayagan ba sila ng mother teams nila?
Ilan lang iyan sa mga magiging tanong ko sa kanila,” Marcial told Malaya-Business Insight yesterday.
“Iyong fine, hindi pa sure iyon, pero kapag hindi sila nagpaalam at naglaro sila sa labas, may fine na P50,000, lowest iyon kapag hindi sila nagpaalam,” he added.
Rain or Shine big man Beau Belga, JR Quiñahan of NLEX, Magnolia’s Jio Jalalon, and Robert Bolick and Arwind Santos of NorthPort were seen playing in an unsanctioned exhibition tiff in videos that have gone viral on social media.
Elasto Painter Rey Nambatac was also found out to have suited up in an undisclosed “ligang-labas.”
The PBA has a rule prohibiting players from showing their wares in an unsanctioned game or “ligang-labas” event unless they were allowed by their mother teams.
After Marcial’s meeting with the cagers, the Games and Amusements Board will also ask them to explain why their licenses as professional basketball players should not be revoked.
Belga has been slapped with a fine of 15 days’ worth of salary for his participation in several unsanctioned exhibition games in Cebu, Davao, and Laguna.
Ditto with Nambatac who was fined two days’ worth of his pay, while Jalalon was meted with a fine of half a month of his salary.
Marcial said those who took part in the melee could face heftier fines.
“May suspension na sila sa teams nila but I will give them stern warning and iyong mga nakipag-away malaki ang fine noon,” he said. “Kailangan ko muna silang makausap kung ano ba ang nangyari.”
Nortball battled an import-laden Sirius Star squad that was composed of streetballers from the United States in an exhibition game at the Carmen Municipal Gym.
Quiñahan got into a fist fight with one foreign player and Belga retaliated by throwing the ball at the opposing player.
The veteran center reportedly could possibly have his contract rescinded since he has not yet practiced or played under Road Warriors coach Frankie Lim due to injury and yet he suited up in an unauthorized tiff.
