MANILA, Philippines - B-Meg assistant coach Koy Banal was detained in the Davao airport by the aviation police but later released without charges after he was heard joking that the Cebu Pacific flight taking them to Manila yesterday morning was carrying a bomb.
The flight was delayed for about an hour as aviation authorities needed to effect a procedure to resolve the incident.
PBA commissioner Chito Salud begged for the public’s indulgence on behalf of the B-Meg assistant coach.
“The airline incident involving assistant coach Koy Banal was lamentable and truly unfortunate. I have spoken with him and he is sincerely apologetic for his remarks,” said Salud.
“We all realize the seriousness of the utterance and understand the public safety cannot be compromised,” Salud added.
“While made in jest and in all innocence, the utterance has clear and dire legal consequences. I would like to thank Cebu Pacific and the Davao aviation authorities for their alert response and the judicious manner in which they resolved the issue,” the league also said.
The B-Meg team and Barako Bull squad were among passengers boarding the plane when a flight attendant heard Banal crack the joke.
Those already on board weren’t aware of the incident.
The Llamados and the Energy played in a road game in Panabo, Davao del Norte on Saturday night. Barako stretched its streak to four games with an 87-84 overtime win.