Germy Mahinay hopeful to get GAB clearance to join NorthPort as issue regarding MPBL ban still pending

Germy Mahinay hopes GAB will lift his indefinite suspension to continue his redemption road in the PBA. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Even during the PBA Draft Combine, there are concerns regarding Germy Mahinay's status as a professional basketball player.

Mahinay was slapped with an indefinite suspension by the MPBL for a disqualifying foul during an April game between Negros and Zamboanga at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan.

Based on what happened to now Magnolia swingman Calvin Abueva, when the PBA banned him indefinitely when he was still with Phoenix, the Games and Amusements Board suspended his professional athlete license and was reinstated just as the league lifted his ban, and the speculation is it would be the same for Mahinay.

When the final list of draft hopefuls was revealed on Sunday just before the PBA Draft proper, the league confirmed that Mahinay has a "GAB issue".

While the PBA did not reveal the particular issue, a report from sports news website Fastbreak said that the six-foot-seven bruiser appealed an indefinite suspension from GAB.

Mahinay himself, when asked by Dugout Philippines about it, declined to comment about the reported appeal, but he is hopeful that GAB would finally let him play professional basketball again.

"Sana [ma-lift na yung suspension]," Mahinay said.

While awaiting a final word from GAB, the PBA kept Mahinay in the final draft list, and NorthPort took him in the fifth round.

Interestingly, it came a year after the squad drafted John Amores, who also entered the PBA Draft with some "bad boy" reputation stemming from his infamous meltdown back in 2022 when he was still with Jose Rizal University.

For Mahinay, who like Amores is also a product of the NCAA as he attended San Beda-Taytay and played for the Red Cubs in high school before moving to the University of Santo Tomas and National University for college in the UAAP, he believes coach Bonnie Tan could help him rebuild his reputation just like how he further reestablished Amores as a good guy.

"Malaki ang maitutulong sa akin kasi champion coach at saka marami na silang napatunayan," Mahinay said, adding that assistant coach Jeff Napa, his head coach with the Bulldogs, will be of great help too.

Oftentimes, late draft picks do not get guaranteed contracts and may have to fight to earn roster spots.

Regardless of what happens, Mahinay is glad that he can proudly say he was drafted into the PBA as he looks to reinvent himself.

"Sa totoo lang, hindi ko ma-explain kung gaano ako kasaya. Nagpapasalamat ako sa NorthPort at sa mga coaches na binigyan ako ng another opportunity para maglaro sa kanila and then baguhin na rin yung style at ugali ko sa loob ng court," Mahinay said.

Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno