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| Caloocan officials will be summoned next week after forfeiting its game against Biñan. MPBL (file photo) |
QUEZON CITY—The MPBL formally handed Biñan a 20-0 forfeiture win after Caloocan failed to show up in their scheduled MPBL game on Saturday night at the Polomolok Gymnasium in South Cotabato.
The Batang Kankaloo publicly notified their intent of not playing the game earlier in the day because of "circumstances (that) have necessitated this challenging decision."
However, commissioner Emmer Oreta said in an interview with Mica Abesamis that he still coordinated with Caloocan officials in hopes of still persuading the team to play.
"We coordinated with Batang Kankaloo since last night, but they decided not to show up. So the game was won by Biñan by forfeiture," Oreta said.
Following the forfeiture, Oreta said that he will invite Caloocan officials to his office to explain their side of the story.
"Sa susunod na araw, I want them to be in my office para mag-explain what happened. Hopefully, hindi na maulit ito," Oreta further said.
In a statement, the MPBL said that the team "will be subjected to the corresponding disciplinary sanctions under the MPBL's rules and regulations."
The league is expected to slap a fine on the Kymani Ladi and Kean Baclaan-led franchise for the forfeiture.
Still intending to give the Polomolok fans something to watch despite the Batang Kankaloo's forfeiture, Oreta said that he invited the Cebu Greats to play the Tatak Gel in an exhibition game.
While the hastily booked match has no more bearing since Biñan already beat Cebu in their regular season match-up at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu, Oreta still thanked the Greats for accepting the invitation on basically a same-day notice.
"Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Team Cebu, kay uncle Sam Lato, manager John Santos, and the whole Cebu players for a very short notice para mabigyan natin ang kasayahan ang mga fans ngayon," Oreta said.
Meanwhile, in front of a sold-out crowd of about 4,000 fans, GenSan won a critical home stand against Quezon 84-67.
The Warriors outscored the Huskers 49-27 in the second half to pull away to the delight of their hometown crowd in the Metro GenSan area.
Anton Eusebio led GenSan, which is now a half-game behind Batangas City for fourth place in the South Division at 16-5, with 18 points, six rebounds, one assist, and two steals.
Larry Rodriguez added 14 points on 4-for-5 three-point shooting, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Chris Pagaran paced Quezon, which fell out of the top spot in the South after dropping to 16-4, with 14 points, four rebounds, and one steal.
While they remain second on winning percentage, the Huskers are two games behind the Tatak Gel, whose forfeiture win moved them up to 20-4, in the race for the top seed and are only a half-game ahead of the Warriors too.
The top four teams per division after the regular season will earn homecourt edge in the playoffs, and GenSan's win kept the team within striking distance in the Top 4 race, keeping a return to Polomolok possible if the Lagao Gymnasium in General Santos City is not available.
"Sana po hindi ito ang huling bisita ng MPBL dito sa Polomolok," Oreta said.
