source: Joel Orellana | businessmirror.com.ph
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) expressed discomfort over a House of Representatives hearing called by Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing on the incident involving Burger King point guard Wynnie Arboleda and a spectator.
PBA chairman Lito Alvarez, also the Burger King team manager, said the hearing is no longer needed because the league has already imposed a severe punishment on the player while the aggrieved party has also filed a legal case against Arboleda.
“The decision to call a hearing is untimely because the league has already imposed a rest-of-the-season ban on Arboleda and Wynnie has accepted the decision,” said Alvarez, one of the several personalities invited to attend the hearing.
“[Aside from] that, mayroon ng pending case involving both the player and the fan,” added Alvarez, who will represent the PBA in the hearing because commissioner Sonny Barrios has a previous commitment.
Alvarez said that instead of dipping its fingers in this incident, Congress should rather focus on more serious problems the country is facing.
Arboleda was suspended without pay and will lose close to P3 million in salaries. The camp of Alain Katigbac, the fan who Arboleda attacked because of his alleged incessant taunting, wants a lifetime ban imposed on the Whopper point guard.
Bagatsing, head of the House Games and Amusements Committee, said he is “after the safety of the players and the fans.”
Katigbac, coaches Yeng Guiao of Burger King and Rajko Toroman of Smart Gilas, Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain, Smart Gilasteam manager Noli Eala, Araneta Coliseum officials Sienna Olaso and Rene Cayetano and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas vice chairman Ricky Vargas were also invited along with Danny Ildefonso and Marlou Aquino, the PBAplayers who were also involved in a similar incident.
Arboleda, although he has been suspended the entire season, continued to stay in shape by becoming one of the Whoppers’ practiceplayers.
Alvarez said on Monday the 32-year-old Arboleda could join the team’s scrimmage despite the suspension.
“He’s still welcome to join the team’s practice,” said Alvarez. “I even told him to attend the team’s practice three times a week to keep himself in good shape.”
Arboleda has two years left in his contract with Burger King. It is unclear whether the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, a son-in-law of team owner Bert Lina, will still be able to see action with the Whopper next season as management is mulling trade options.
Arboleda was almost shipped to Barako Bull after the incident, but the trade did not materialize because PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios has already imposed the ban.
“We are still evaluating things kung maghahanap pa ng ibang point guard pero ramdam ng team ’yung kawalan niya,” said Alvarez.
“We’re in constant discussion with coach Yeng and we might add one more player to help the team,” he added.
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