PBA eyes guidelines to protect fans, cagers

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Basketball Association leadership will come up with a new set of guidelines with regard to protecting players and fans in order to prevent another untoward incident in the pro league.

“It will be an all-encompassing code of conduct. We saw a lot of problems because of this incident,” PBA chairman of the board Angelito Alvarez told Congress reporters after the House committee on games and amusement conducted a hearing.

He was referring to the Oct. 16 incident where Burger King player Wynne Arboleda beat 31-year-old Alain Katigbac, a businessman who allegedly hurled invectives at the Burger King guard.

“This incident is an eye-opener for all of us. We will come up with a new set of guidelines to improve things,” Alvarez told the committee headed by Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing.

Bagatsing said the House of Representatives is ready to help either the PBA or the Games and Amusements Board on how it wants to conduct games where both the spectators and players are out of harm’s way.

“If you guys need legislation, we will be more than willing to help. But let it not be said that we are not doing anything,” Bagatsing said. “There has to be parameters. The most important thing is that PBA and GAB sit down to discuss these things.”

“There should be guidelines for the better understanding of all concerned,” he added.

He said there is not even a code of conduct, despite three incidents involving players and fans have occurred this year, the worst of which is the Arboleda case.

“There are lessons to be learned here. The PBA, through the referees, should have made the decision. It’s not (the fault) of the coach, nor the player, but the referee,” Bagatsing pointed out.

Arboleda, who attended the hearing, apologized for his acts, and expressed hopes it will not happen again. “This is one experience I hope will never happen again,” he said in Filipino.

Arboleda, who was meted a one-year suspension, said he stands to lose around P2.7 million in salary and game incentives.

Antipolo Rep. Robbie Puno, a sports analyst, said the House hearing was “not to be adversarial,” but rather “to see if there is anything we (as legislators) can do” to improve the system.

He said he is not too keen on coming up with a new set of guidelines among players and spectators. “I prefer self-regulation. It’s because a system is already in place. I just want to be a little cautious not to infringe on the independence of the PBA.”

During the hearing, Puno asked if the PBA hierarchy could find out whether a fine that a player would pay is shouldered by his team or by himself, and Alvarez replied “that’s beyond the PBA.” “There are no system for checks and balances. The PBA just receives it.