The PBA will not impose further sanctions on the players suspended indefinitely by San Miguel.
League commissioner Willie Marcial declared as much in the wake of the Beermen’s decision to suspend Dez Wells, Kelly Nabong, Arwind Santos, and Ronald Tubid due to a fight that ensued during a team practice last Sunday.
“Sa akin, enough na ‘yun. Okay na ako sa ipinataw ng San Miguel,” Marcial told reporters Wednesday.
The Beermen issued a statement on Wednesday regarding the decision, saying that the team does not tolerate unsportsmanlike behavior and that PBA players should hold themselves at a high standard as pros.
“While the conflict has been resolved, and the incident occurred away from the public eye, the San Miguel organization does not tolerate unsportsmanlike behavior,” part of the statement read.
“Basketball is a physical game where emotions can run high, but we believe that PBA players have to be held to a higher standard of professionalism and sportsmanship at all times,” the statement continued.
“It is for this reason that we’ve come to this decision, even if it impacts our bid for a second franchise grand slam. Our commitment now, moving forward, is that we will work doubly hard and play our very best, for our fans and for the organization.”
According to multiple reports, the fiasco started when Wells came towards Santos following a hard screen that sent him to the floor. Tubid came to the defense of Santos, while Nabong backed the American reinforcement.
With this, the Beermen will play with a depleted lineup when they take on rivals TNT KaTropa Wednesday night. The winner will clinch the number four seed and earn a twice-to-beat edge for the 2019 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals.
