GAB spares Blackwater of further sanctions

Blackwater was spared of a separate penalty from GAB but was sternly warned about their recent team gathering. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The Games and Amusements Board has spared Blackwater of additional penalties for conducting what was deemed as a practice session without the joint administrative order that will clear the club to train again and finds the sanctions slapped by the PBA sufficient enough.

"GAB noted the earlier sanction given on BW in form of PHP100K fine and mandatory RT-PCR testing of those involved," GAB chairman Baham Mitra said in a statement on Tuesday.

He then explained that the Elite's vow to adhere to the quarantine protocols this time also sufficed in his agency's decision to not sanction them further.

"So far, the foregoing measures, together with the team’s commitment to abide by the newly-issued JAO between GAB, DOH, and PSC, have been deemed sufficient, without prejudice to any further sanction that the IATF and/or DOH may deem necessary under the circumstances," Mitra added.

However, he still issued a "stern warning" to Blackwater for the said gathering, which Team Owner Dioceldo Sy clarified was a shootaround and not really a team practice.

Sy met with Mitra and Commissioner Eduard Trinidad recently to clear the air about the issue.

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