PBA condemns domestic abuse amid issues surrounding Paul Desiderio, ex-fiance

Paul Desiderio has been accused of physical abuse against his former fiance, and the PBA will take a look at it. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The PBA said on Wednesday that it is not tolerating any form of domestic abuse after former UAAP courtside reporter Agatha Uvero claimed that her former fiance, Blackwater player Paul Desiderio, was hurting her when they were still together.

In a statement, the league that even if they are still not married yet, what Desiderio did to Uvero is a total red flag.

"This league will not tolerate any form of domestic abuse. No matter the cause or circumstances, physical and psychological abuse of women, whether in the confines of marriage or not, is inexcusable," the PBA said.

In a lengthy tweet earlier in the day, Uvero said that Desiderio did a lot of violent acts on her like strangling, punching, kicking, throwing her to a table, slamming her face into the car window, and locking her up in a room.

She added that he still strangled and threw her down even if she was two months pregnant with their child.

"This report deserves to be given serious attention by both the ballclub concerned and the PBA itself," the PBA further said.

For its part, the league added, "The league will conduct an inquiry and hand down its findings and resolution as soon as the facts are clearly established. We are confident that the Blackwater management will extend its full cooperation and assistance toward ensuring that a just determination is reached."

Uvero and Desiderio had been a couple since they were still at the University of the Philippines.

Uvero was the school's courtside reporter at the time Desiderio was beginning to make a mark with the Fighting Maroons.

However, the couple called off their engagement a few days after Desiderio revealed that he suffered an ACL injury that would keep him on the sidelines for the entire PBA season and make him miss the Bossing's current dream run that has even placed them on the thick of things for the twice-to-beat advantage in the Philippine Cup quarterfinals.

Blackwater is taking on Rain Or Shine later Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno