PBA chief reinstates 9 Fil-Ams

PBA commissioner Noli Eala cleared nine Fil-foreign players for a return stint in the league yesterday, including seven Alaska Aces who have submitted the necessary documents in time for their game against the Red Bull Barakos at resumption of the Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum today.

Thus, Jeffrey Cariaso, Joachim Thoss, Mike Cortez, Willie Wilson, Rob Johnson, Eugene Tejada and Rob Duat have all been reinstated, saving the Aces from forfeiting their game against the Barakos at 4:45 p.m.

Likewise submitting their documents yesterday and subsequently getting clearance to play are San Miguel’s Dorian Peña and Purefoods’ Noy Castillo.

Despite the reinstatement of Castillo, Purefoods, however, will play shorthanded minus Jun Limpot versus Talk n Text in today’s other game.

Limpot and Migs Noble were both suspended and heavily fined for figuring in fight in their game in Palawan Saturday. Limpot was fined P20,000 and Noble P15,000.

Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo personally delivered to the commissioner the documents of his players.

"It’s a big relief that all these things have been settled," said Trillo.

"I went to the NSO (National Statistics Office), the BI (Bureau of Immigration, Manila (City Hall), Quezon City (Hall). All the documents are there. Hindi lang inasikaso agad ng mga players," Trillo also said.

"The documents of the other Fil-Ams are also there.

So, in a day or two, I expect all the Fil-Ams to be back," he added.

"I’m very happy that the players are working on their papers," said Eala. "As I’ve said, it’s just a matter of time for all these players to comply with the PBA board resolution."

Only 11 remain suspended following the reinstatement of Cariaso, Thoss, Cortez, Wilson, Johnson, Duat, Tejada, Peña and Castillo. Those who have yet to complete their documents are Jimmy Alapag of Talk N Text, Manny Ramos, Will Antonio and Rafi Reavis of Coca-Cola, Anthony dela Cruz, Chris Jackson, Kalani Ferreria of Shell, Eric Menk, Andy Seigle and James Wallkvist of Ginebra and Danny Seigle of San Miguel.