Arboleda banned for rest of season

MANILA, Philippines - The PBA handed down the severest sanction to any player in league history yesterday as commissioner Sonny Barrios suspended Burger King guard Wynne Arboleda for the rest of the 2009-2010 season for mauling a fan in the BK-Smart Gilas tiff Friday.

Barrios made the decision after getting Arboleda’s side followed by consultation with lawyers Melvin Mendoza, Aga Francisco and Bieny Solis.

The suspension means P2.73 million in lost income for Arboleda for the season, not counting won game and career achievement bonuses.

The hard-nosed BK player starts serving the suspension tomorrow as the Whoppers play the San Miguel Beermen at the Astrodome. The earliest he could re-join the Whoppers is August after the end 35th PBA campaign in July.

Barrios said the PBA is sending a strong signal that such act committed by Arboleda has no place in the league and will never be taken lightly, stressing that the fans’ interest is always the league’s main concern.

“Even granting that said fan (Alain Katigbak) was foul-mouthed and verbally abusive as confirmed by reports to us, there is a ‘line’ that a PBA player cannot and should not cross: to physically harm a fan,” said Barrios in a letter to Arboleda.

“Your serious breach of this ‘line’ endangers the PBA as being perceived by the public as unwholesome and not deserving of fan support,” Barrios also said.

While serving his suspension, Arboleda cannot be present at the playing venues during Burger King’s games. As a contracted PBA player even while suspended, Arboleda likewise may not play in any other league.

Arboleda said he will appeal the commissioner’s decision.

“I think it’s too harsh,” Arboleda told The STAR.

“It’s only my first offense and my source of livelihood is taken away from me,” Arboleda added. “The suspension is so long, I may no longer be able to come back at all.”

Arboleda is turning 33 on Nov. 28. He’s been in the league since 2000, playing for Pop Cola and Tanduay before landing at the Lina Group franchise. He’s married to April Lina, daughter of BK team owners Bert and Sylvia.

“My wife is a daughter of the team owner but we’ve learned to stand on our own. We have some investments but my PBA job is the main source of our income,” said Arboleda.

BK top honcho and league board chairman Lito Alvarez was also surprised with the decision but said he respects it.

“I had made it very clear that whatever decision the commissioner makes, we’ll accept it. I’ll be true to my words,” said Alvarez. “As a global brand, Burger King upholds professionalism and fair play. I have no choice but to respect the commissioner’s decision.”

Meanwhile, reports said Katigbak, an Atenean, will get support from Ateneo alumni as he files charges against Arboleda.