Sporting Chance

You can't blame Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner Emilio (Jun) Bernardino for standing firm on his decision to forfeit Tanduay's two semifinal wins over Purefoods even at the risk of going to jail.

Bernardino isn't being stubborn for the sake of being stubborn. His motive isn't personal. He's determined to protect the integrity of the league. If Bernardino backs down, the PBA will never be the same again. He just cannot allow a franchise owner to contest a PBA ruling in court and usurp the Commissioner's authority.

Resorting to legal tactics to fight the PBA has dire consequences. If Tanduay succeeds in overturning Bernardino's decision - which is supposed to be final and unappealable, what will prevent some other team to similarly go to court to question a suspension or a fine or some kind of sanction? The league wouldn't be able to survive in such an anarchic situation.

That's why Bernardino can't agree to a compromise. He's battling to keep the PBA alive.

Clearly, the situation has gone out of hand. Yesterday, Tanduay filed a motion accusing Bernardino of contempt for allegedly defying a temporary restraining order (TRO) not to book a Game 4 in the Purefoods semifinal series. He could be jailed if found guilty.

Tomorrow, a hearing has been set for the PBA to argue its motion for reconsideration of the TRO. There will also be a hearing on the contempt case.

Because the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has ordered the deportation of Tanduay' Sonny Alvarado, Bernardino reversed the outcome of two Rhum Masters wins over the Hot Dogs in the semis. So Bernardino ordered a Game 4 with Purefoods leading, 2-1, in the best-of-five series.

The PBA didn't push through with a Game 4 last Friday or Sunday because of the TRO. Bernardino, however, isn't reversing his decision of forfeiture.

Tanduay's original position was for the PBA to uphold its 3-0 sweep of Purefoods in the semis despite the BI ruling on Alvarado. It also wanted to play Alvarado until his appeal period expires. Later, Tanduay attempted to negotiate a settlement but Bernardino wouldn't agree. The word was Tanduay offered to play in the Finals without Alvarado. Besides, any settlement will not preclude the PBA from sanctioning Tanduay.

Since the PBA isn't budging, will Tanduay fight it out until the bitter end? If it does, that would be unfortunate. The legal mess will drag on and nobody will gain from the prolonged agony. The league will suffer. So will Tanduay and especially the fans.

Tanduay isn't in a position to dictate terms because the bottom line is Alvarado is not an eligible Fil-Am. Pinning the blame on the PBA for allowing Alvarado to enter the draft last year won't solve the problem and it won't change his status. Luckily for the PBA, Tanduay failed to win a single title last year -- imagine the complications if the Rhum Masters bagged a championship with Alvarado playing.

If only for the fans, the PBA should close ranks and resolve the impasse now. Tanduay can still emerge from this mess looking good -- it can plead innocence in hiring a Fil-sham, send Alvarado packing and agree to resume the semis against Purefoods. What a boost for Tanduay if the Rum Masters beat the Hot Dogs twice in a row and advance to the Finals. And what a bigger boost if Tanduay captures the title -- without Alvarado, of course. It's certainly not improbable for coach Alfrancis Chua to accomplish the feat.

If Tanduay continues to defy Bernardino and the PBA Board, then it's courting expulsion and ill will from fans. The public is getting impatient -- the fans couldn't care less about turf wars, their interest is strictly in the game. Like it or not, Tanduay has been cast as the villain in this unfolding drama. But it's not too late to switch roles.