Japeth Aguilar, Adrian Wong slapped with PHP20K fine for quarantine violation

Japeth Aguilar has to pay PHP20,000 and undergo self quarantine for playing pickup basketball during the lockdown. Dennis Acosta (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Ginebra star Japeth Aguilar and Rain Or Shine rookie Adrian Wong were each slapped with hefty sanctions after committing a blatant quarantine violation.

On Monday, after meeting with both Ateneo alumni, Commissioner Willie Marcial handed a PHP20,000 fine each after both players were caught on video and photos playing pickup basketball at the Ronac Gym in San Juan City despite such activity still prohibited.

Aside from it, Aguilar and Wong were also ordered to do 30 hours of community service.

To make sure that they remain COVID-19 free, Marcial also asked both players to undergo a swab test on Tuesday and a home quarantine for 14 days. Both Aguilar and Wong are to take another swab test at the end of the quarantine.

Also in the said hoops session was Terra Firma freshman Isaac Go, but Marcial spared him of sanctions since he is loaned to the Gilas Cadets pool.

According to the PBA's agreement with the SBP, Go, Matt and Mike Nieto, Allyn Bulanadi, and Rey Suerte, while being drafted to the pros, will remain with the national team until they are released to the teams that drafted them.

Pickup basketball games are currently not allowed nationwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic and may only be relaxed once all the lockdown restrictions have been lifted.

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