Commish clears Yee in mauling incident

MANILA, Philippines - PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios said yesterday Mark Yee was not involved in the beating of a PBA fan by Burger King’s Wynne Arboleda during the Whoopers game with the Smart Gilas last Oct. 14 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Barrios said Yee, a league sophomore from San Sebastian-Cavite, didn’t figure in the incident based on the investigation conducted by the pro league.

“Mark Yee is clear of any wrongdoing as the video shows and as what the witnesses say,” Barrios told The STAR.

The PBA commissioner made the statement the day after victim Alain Katigbac formally filed physical injuries charges in court, with Yee included in the charge sheet.

Katigbac filed a nine-page affidavit-complaint before Quezon City assistant prosecutor Rafael Villordon, charging that Arboleda and Yee beat him up.

“That’s outside of our jurisdiction but as the law says suspect is innocent until proven otherwise,” Barrios said.

He added they have reviewed the video tape of the incident leading to their decision to ban Arboleda from playing in the PBA for the rest of the season.

Arboleda, however, said he will appeal the commissioner’s decision and will file a counter-charge against Katigbac.

Reports, however, said there are common friends of the two parties now working to have the case settled amicably.

The PBA commissioner himself is also hoping for an out-of-court settlement of the case.

On the recommendation of Katigbac for a lifetime ban on Arboleda, Barrios said: “I believe we have given Wynne the maximum penalty under the circumstances. I would prefer that an out-of-court settlement be arrived at by the parties concerned.”

Arboleda attacked Katigbac by kicking and punching him as the BK player lost his cool while being jeered by the Smart Gilas fan. – Nelson Beltran