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| Bacolod must pay a PHP500,000 fine before playing its next game. MPBL (file photo) |
MANILA--A hefty penalty awaits Bacolod after forfeiting its Saturday night MPBL clash against Pangasinan.
The league announced on Monday night that the Tubo Slashers were penalized with a PHP500,000 fine after deciding to skip the second half of their showdown against the Heatwaves at the Pola Gymnasium.
The act of protest stemmed from the game officials' decision not to allow Tzaddy Rangel to start the game, even as they also barred substitute Kenneth Malazarte from playing.
The league clarified later Saturday that both Rangel and Malazarte are not yet cleared to play due to a lack of needed prerequisites to approve the midseason acquisitions.
Forced to play with only nine players, Bacolod found itself down 20, 30-50, at halftime, and the team decided not to return to the playing court during the break, prompting the MPBL officials to call the forfeiture in favor of Pangasinan.
The league said that the Tubo Slashers, who dropped to 2-13 with the forfeiture loss, must pay the fine before they can be cleared to face the Imus Braderhood on Thursday night at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan City.
Failure to pay up would mean Bacolod is risking another forfeiture.
Meanwhile, Geo Chiu had a successful MPBL debut as Abra ripped Quezon City, 99-77, in one of the three Monday night games scheduled at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.
Chiu put up 10 points on 3-of-5 field goals in his first foray in a Philippine pro league after spending time with Taiwan in TAT and Ehime in the Japan B.League Division 2.
Chiu and former college rival Raven Gonzales imposed their will inside by forming a twin towers that disrupted the Taipans' inside offense and defense.
Gonzales and Marvin Taywan each put up 17 points to lead the Weavers, with the latter also dishing out 11 assists in a birthday game to remember.
Dave Ildefonso chipped in 16 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and one steal.
Dave Bernabe led QC with 11 points and six rebounds.
Before that, Batang Kankaloo blasted Manila, 110-92, behind 26 points on eight threes from Jeff Manday.
In the main game, GenSan outlasted home team Pasay, 79-73, as Kyle Tolentino also showed solid outside shooting touch with four threes for most of his 20 points.
Germy Mahinay, who is rumored to be signing up with the Voyagers as his playing ban due to a disqualifying foul last year was lifted, was not listed in the hosts' active roster.
A person privy to the situation told Dugout Philippines, though, that the six-foot-seven burly center remains "most likely" to suit up for Pasay sometime soon, which means the team's next game against Zamboanga next Monday, also at the Cuneta Astrodome, could possibly be his first game back from the suspension.
Next Monday also happens to be the deadline of the MPBL transfer window.
If confirmed, Mahinay would find himself teaming up with Joey Barcuma, the same guy he fouled last year in the said infamous event.
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