Tab faces sanction after citing PBA ‘flaw’
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MANILA, Philippines — TNT KaTropa’s Tab Baldwin is facing likely sanction from the PBA for issuing what officials viewed as statements “detrimental to the pro league.”
Commissioner Willie Marcial and Ginebra governor and San Miguel Corp. sports director Alfrancis Chua took exception to Baldwin’s pronouncements that the PBA is making a “big mistake” with its import-flavored conferences.
“He said things that are detrimental to the league, which merits sanction under the PBA Constitution,” Marcial told The STAR.
Baldwin could be fined more than P75,000 for his controversial statements while Marcial is also reviewing if a possible suspension is warranted.
During Wednesday’s “Coaches Unfiltered” podcast, Baldwin claimed the PBA’s format in two import-bannered conferences presents a “major, major regulatory flaw” in the Philippine basketball landscape.
“This is a big mistake. We should never have a single import playing on a team,” said Baldwin, taking note of the two to three-import setup in the Philippines’ neighboring countries.
He also claimed there’s a “rules latitude” that the imports are given here by the referees and by the administration of the PBA. “I do believe it’s by the administration and it’s based on desire to have superstars as a marketing tool for the PBA.”
Marcial and Chua refuted Baldwin’s claims, which, they rued, were made at an improper venue.
“It’s board policy,” said Marcial. “He could have talked to me or to TNT team manager Gabby Cui, coach Bong Ravena, or PBA chairman Ricky Vargas if he wants to discuss it.
“Secondly, there’s no double standard in officiating. How the referees call it in the opening game stays the same until the finals.”
Chua stressed that getting two to three imports per team isn’t ideal.
“Unlike in the other leagues overseas where local talent is limited, in the PBA there’s a lot of talented players. We tried even getting an Asian import before, and it didn’t click,“ Chua told The STAR.
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