For choosing PBL, prized Falcon evicted?

The PBL’s worst fear that the GAB ruling might put a wedge between itself and the collegiate leagues has apparently come true with UAAP mainstay Melvin Mamaclay evicted from his Adamson University quarters and stripped of his scholarship for signing a manifesto decrying the UAAP decision to ban its players to play in the embattled league.

PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad, gracing the PSA Forum in Manila Pavilion Holiday Inn yesterday, hit Adamson coach Luigi Trillo and the school for the action it took against Mamaclay.

But Trillo said they only obeyed the UAAP order in making the decision on the Mamaclay case.

"I was trying to contact him but he kept on avoiding me so I thought he didn’t want to play for us anymore," said Trillo.

The young mentor, however, said the 6-foot-6 Mamaclay is still welcome at Adamson if he decides to return before the PBL Challenge Cup opens on Nov. 3.

Trinidad considered Adamson’s decision "unjust and clear violation of the player’s basic human right to choose."

"I don’t see any reason why Trillo and Adamson are doing this thing, punishing Mamaclay for opting to enjoy both worlds. . . to play and study in their school and play and earn a little in the PBL," said Trinidad.

Trinidad, however, said that the PBL is working out a plan to give scholarship grants to Mamaclay and other collegiate players who may decide to play in the PBL.

At the same time, Trinidad said they’re expecting Malacanang to grant its motion to observe a status quo anytime while the GAB ruling declaring it a professional league is still being deliberated upon.