MANILA, Philippines - Binigyan ng 10-game ban ang utility man ng CaÂgayan Valley na si Bernard SanÂtos bunga ng pang-i-insulto niya kay NLEX center Ola Adeogun na nangyari noÂong Enero 28.
Nanalo ang Rising Suns sa larong ito, 78-74, pero nabahiran ito ng ‘racial insult ni Santos kay Adeogun nang ilang ulit na iwinawagayway ang isang saging para insultuhin ang Nigerian player.
Nakuhanan ito ng video ng Spin.ph at siyang naÂging basehan ng Commissioner’s Office para magsagawa ng imbestigasyon.
“After hearing the sides of Cagayan Valley utility man Bernard Santos, and NLEX player Ola Adeogun, the Office hereby finds that Mr. Santos had committed acts against Mr. Adeogun that are considered racially insulting,†wika ni league commissioner Atty. Chito Salud.
Ipinagdiinan ni Salud na ang mga ganitong aksyon, sinadya man o hindi, ay hindi katanggap-tanggap sa liga at kahit sa anumang palakasan.
“Whether out of malice or ignorance, the act of waÂving a banana while carrying out motions akin to an animal is decidedly racially derogatory and pejorative. Such act and other acts that are racially colored will be death with as sternly as possible by this league,†dagdag ni Salud na huÂmingi rin ng paumanhin kay Adeogun.
“This Office extends its sincere apology to Mr. Ola Adeogun for the unfortunate incident to which he was exposed. Let me assure him and his countrymen that the Philippines is blind to color, race and creed,†ani pa ni Salud,
Dahil talsik na ang Cagayan Valley sa Aspirants’ Cup, sisilbihan ni Santos ang kanyang kaparusahan sa Foundation Cup. (AT)