Cornley faces possible ban from PBA

MANILA, Philippines – More than the valuables Jamelle Cornley claimed he lost on Wednesday morning, the former Rain or Shine import might also lose his chance to play in the PBA again.

PBA Commissioner Chito Salud said Cornley needs to clear his name. Otherwise, he’ll have no other recourse but to ban the reigning PBA Governors’ Cup Best Import from playing in the league.

“If the allegations and charges in this incident are proven to be true, I see Mr. Cornley as having zero chance of playing in the PBA again, at least not under my watch,” Salud said in a statement released to the media shortly after the reports of Cornley getting detained for allegedly assaulting a cop hogged the headlines.

“I understand that this is now a police matter where facts will continue to be established. Mr. Cornley is not currently associated with the PBA in any manner whatsoever. Be that as it may, I'd perhaps take the occasion to remind our players that playing in the PBA is imbued with public interest and they are thus subject to close public scrutiny within the context of higher standards and expectations.”

Earlier this month, two PBA imports were sent home for misconducts. 

The PBA has banned former Petron import Renaldo Balkman after his fit of rage in an official game that ended in a choking incident with his teammate Arwind Santos.

Then just last week, Walter Sharpe, who played for GlobalPort in only two games, was sacked after a photo showing him sleeping in an open parking lot apparently dead drunk circulated in the internet.

Cornley was arrested after allegedly punching PO2 Armando Lazatin at the Sir Williams Hotel along Timog Avenue.

Cornley, who led Rain or Shine to its first ever title in the PBA, however, denied the allegations and claimed that he was the victim here.

According to the news report, Cornley berated the hotel staff at Sir Williams Hotel after losing his pouch bag that contained US$1,400 and some valuables. He claimed the three prostitutes, whom he picked up in a KTV bar, stole his pouch.

Two policemen, including Lazatin, responded and arrived at the hotel after which the alleged punching incident happened.

Lazatin, who was seen on TV wearing a neck brace and being carried on a stretcher, was brought to the nearby East Avenue Medical Center.

Cornley was detained in the Quezon City Police District 10 in Kamuning and was later endorsed to QCPD headquarters in Camp Karingal. 

Rain or Shine is planning to get his services again in the next conference to try to defend their Governors’ Cup title.

Cornley, who injured his knee in that finals series Rain or Shine won over San Mig Coffee (formerly Bmeg),decided to stay in the country to undergo surgery and recuperate.