Tanduay agrees to play; crisis over

Tanduay, stating that it values its membership in the league amid mounting pressure for its ouster and taking into consideration "the interest of millions of PBA fans," decided to withdraw all the legal impediments last night and agreed to go back to the playing court to end the full-blown crisis in the pro league.

"In the interest of millions of the PBA fans, and in keeping with our commitment to sportsmanship and fair play, we have decided to accept the ruling of the PBA Commissioner's Office and we will return to the hardcourt on Wednesday to complete the best-of-five semis against Purefoods," Tanduay said in an official statement signed by team manager and board representative David de Joya.

The decision came after another crucial PBA board meeting at the Manila Golf Club last night where Tanduay, with a threat of being ousted as a consequence of its dogged stand to drag the PBA into a long-drawn legal battle, agreed to withdraw all its cases against the league and PBA commissioner Emilio Bernardino, Jr.

"While the course of action we took was unprecedented, we wish to put on record that it was never our intention to undermine the Office of the Commissioner and the PBA itself because we value our membership in the league," the ballclub said.

At the same time, PBA board chair Wilfred Uytengsu, lauded Tanduay's move and said "the board wishes to apologize to the public for this inconvenience and we hope the Filipino people will continue to patronize and enjoy the games."

No less than Tanduay owner Bong Tan gave his word that the Rhum Masters will end their holdout and will abide by whatever sanctions the PBA Commissioner's Office would impose for their action.

The penalties for Tanduay's action were not discussed but league officials hinted they will take into account the Rhum Masters' change of heart in their decision to return to the playing court.

"The board will certainly look at the fact that they came back to the negotiating table as a gesture of goodwill," said Uytengsu.

"This is a gesture of goodwill. And with this move by Tanduay, leniency will be accorded the team," said Bernardino, whose ruling of forfeiture on two Tanduay won games prompted the ballclub to seek redress from the legal front.

Bernardino was earlier cited for contempt by the Makati Regional Trial court but with the turn of events, it was deemed that this would have become moot and academic with the withdrawal of all legal impediments to the case, including the temporary restraining order.

"We have the highest respect for Commissioner Bernardino and the distinguished members of the Board of Governors. Together with the PBA, we have agreed it's no longer the time to justify our actions in the past and it is time to move on and play the game our people love," said Tanduay in the statement.

It added: "Today the PBA and Tanduay have joined hands in removing whatever barriers remain in the resumption of the All Filipino Cup semis. The PBA and Tanduay have also regarded the public interest as paramount and today we set aside all our differences to keep faith with that collective commitment."

The breakthrough thus ended a two-week-long crisis that has resulted in two postponements of the PBA games and millions of pesos lost on television revenues, advertising losses and venue rentals.

The Purefoods Hotdogs, who will go into Game 4 with a 2-1 series lead, said they're happy that the crisis is finally over even as they look forward to advancing to the finals with a victory on Wednesday.

The game is set at 7 p.m. either at the PhilSports Arena or at the Antipolo gym.

The winner of the series will face the Alaska Milkmen in the best-of-seven showdown.

The PBA said the delay will not affect the schedule of the opening of the PBA Commissioner's Cup on June 23.