A three-month suspension and a fine of P60,000 were imposed on an assistant coach who spat at a player in the middle of a game in the MPBL on Monday.
San Juan Knights coach Yong Garcia was caught in the act when he spat on Lord Casajeros, Valenzuela City player – MJAS Zenith, in the second quarter of their match.
In a statement by the MPBL Tuesday night, Garcia was suspended because what he did damaged the league’s image and possibly even harmed Casajeros’ health.
“(The) MPBL condemns any and all unsportsmanlike conduct, especially deliberate acts of violence,” said MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes.
“There’s no place for such an act in this league, and a similar offense would be dealt with even more severely.”
Under the league’s directive, Garcia must take an RT-PCR test within 48 hours after the incident.
If Garcia does not take the test and something wrong happens later, his punishment is expected to be increased.
The league also advised Garcia to seek counseling so that he could control his emotions.
The assistant coach apologized for the incident.
MPBL suspends coach for spitting at player
“This sport saved my life. It gave me an opportunity to have something so much better than what I used to have and deserve. And because of this, it has been my life mission to make this opportunity available to more players,” said Garcia.
“Sadly, my actions last night did not in any way reflect my personal mission nor reciprocate what basketball has given me, a second chance in life.”
On August 29, 2017, Manny Pacquiao founded the MPBL, which began as a semi-professional league.
According to Pacquiao, the league is not designed to compete with the Philippine Basketball Association, the country’s top professional basketball league. Instead, the MPBL was intended to include both a regional commercial and a barangay-level league, with commercial teams having a hometown and a corporate sponsor.
This tournament’s winner will receive PHP2 million. In addition, the second-place finisher will receive PHP500,000, while the third-place finisher will receive PHP250,000.
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