The Cocolife Pilipinas Super League (PSL) Powered by Smart 5G has made a verdict about the controversial walkout made by the Bicol Spicy Oragons during their April 7 game against the Cagayan De Oro Higalas at the Manuel A. Roxas Sports Complex in Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte.
In a letter sent to Bicol team owners Othello Labrador, Ricky Rifarial, and Jherwin Araneta, PSL commissioner Marc Pingris and deputy commissioner Chelito Caro handed stiff sanctions on the Spicy Oragons after prematurely exiting the game with still 4:02 left and them just trailing the Higalas, 63-67.
Bicol is now banned from playing its remaining games in the elimination round of the ongoing Pearl of the Orient Cup.
According to PSL president Rocky Chan, the games where the Spicy Oragons will not be playing will be automatically credited as forfeiture wins by their opponents. Thus, they will finish the conference with a 3-11 record.
The Spicy Oragons have also been fined P500,000 for the walk-out incident pursuant to Section 5 of the PSL’s rules and regulations.
Also, the PSL announced that Head Coach Monel Kallos, Assistant Coach Cezar Babasa, and team utility member Roneo Termanel have all been banned from participating any further in the league.
The PSL has also suspended Bicol’s Joseph Brutas for three months for actions that are detrimental to the league.
Brutas was called for an offensive foul after the referees deemed he warded off Cagayan De Oro’s John Saycon while trying to create space for a jump shot.
In protest of the call, which they thought was a bum one, the Spicy Oragons made their way to the exits. Brutas was heard shouting some choice words to the officiating crew, which led to his personal ban.
“Malungkot tayo sa nangyari, but the decision was discussed between our technical team and Commissioner Marc and Deputy Comm. Chelito Caro based on the guidelines and rules,” Chan said.
Despite the heaviness of the sanctions, Chan said that the league remains open to hearing an appeal from the Spicy Oragons.
