After six months of investigations, the Games and Amusements Board finally concluded its investigation of the controversial Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup game that pitted Siquijor and Lapu-Lapu last April 14.
A total of 10 individuals saw their professional licenses outright revoked due to acts and conduct unbecoming a professional player.
These players are Mystics’ Ryan Buenafe, Peter Buenafe, Frederick Rodriguez, Juan Aspiras, Joseph Quiro, Jan Penaflor, Joshua Alcober, Gene Belleza, and Michael Calomot, along with head coach Joel Palapal.
“Ang effectivity is immediately,” said GAB legal division head Atty. Omar Benitez.
“Kung sa professional game ang lalaruan nila, hindi na sila puwede maglaro. Kung under non-pro setup, it does not exist at this time. This will affect their relationship with GAB rules.”
ARQ Builders’ Rendell Senining, Jercules Tangkay, and Reed Juntilla, along with head coach Francis Auquico, saw their licenses suspended for six months while Franz Arong, Dawn Ochea, and Ferdinand Lusdoc were suspended for three months. Also being handed a three-month suspension were assistant coaches Jerry Abuyabor and Alex Cainglet.
Proven not to be involved in the controversial game were ARQ Builders owner Jason Arquisola and Mytha Canoy; assistant coaches John Nuyles, Roger Potot, and Hamilton Tundag.
Mystics players Michael Sereno, Vincent Tangcay, Miguel Castellano, Isagani Gooc, and assistant coach Magenelio Padrigao were also proven not guilty.
Back on April 14, Siquijor and Lapu-Lapu figured in a controversial game that was marred by air-balled free throws, botched fastbreak attempts, and mind-boggling turnovers. Moreover, it saw Siquijor only score five points in the opening frame and eight in the second stanza. On the other hand, the Heroes only had four points during the second quarter.
Both squads also attempted and missed an unusual number of free throws as Siquijor missed all 10 of their free-throw attempts while allowing Lapu-Lapu to attempt 19 in 20 minutes of action.
The score at the half was 27-13 before the league decided to pull the plug of the game.
GAB said that the players who only had their licenses suspended can re-apply after serving their time.
“After the passage of time, puwede na sila mag-apply,” Atty. Benitez said about the players and staff they suspended.
VisMin Super Cup had also banned Joshua Alcober, Ryan Buenafe, Vincent Tangcay, Jan Penaflor, Gene Bellaza, Michael Calomot, Frederick Rodriguez, Jopet Quiro, Isagani Gooc, Miguel Castellano, Juan Aspiras, and Peter Buenafe from their league. Also kicked out of the league are head coach Joel Palapal and his staff.
