MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker wants to investigate the cancellation of the exhibition game between Gilas Pilipinas and a select group of NBA stars on Tuesday night.
Quezon City Representative Winston Castelo has filed House Resolution 1293, which seeks to come out with a legislation that could prevent the repeat of the incident, where Filipino basketball fans paid as much as P24,000 for tickets to see a game between the national cagers and NBA stars.
Castelo said Congress has to initiate an investigation even if PLDT chair Manuel Pangilinan has promised to refund the tickets bought by disappointed spectators.
According to reports, the highly anticipated tune-up game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum was called off since organizers allegedly failed to obtain sanctions from the NBA.
After the failed efforts to salvage the game, the Filipino and NBA players ended up doing drills and scrimmages.
"This charity event is not going to be a game. What we’ll show you is how we actually prepare. I hope you enjoy," Gilas coach Chot Reyes was quoted as saying in a STAR report.
Read: Phl Gilas-NBA stars tune-up called off
The NBA players who were expected to play against the Philippine national team include the likes of James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Demar DeRozan and Damian Lillard. -Louis Bacani
Related: NBA statement on ‘The Gilas Last Home Stand’