The Philippine Basketball Association yesterday handed down its severest penalty to date, suspending veteran Burger King guard Wynne Arboleda without pay for the rest of the 2009-10 Season.
Arboleda, who was earlier called for his second flagrant foul in the game, went after a heckler at courtside during the Whoppers’ game against Smart-Gilas at the Araneta Coliseum last Friday, landing a kick and some punches before being restrained by cooler heads.
The suspension means P2.73 million in lost income for Arboleda, not counting won game, advancement and player award bonuses. For committing two flagrant fouls penalty 1 in the game, the nine-year PBA veteran also drew a P20,000 fine and a one-game suspension which will be served on Wednesday in their game against the San Miguel Beermen.
In his decision letter sent to Arboleda, PBA commissioner Renauld Barrios said, “As we pointed out to you, even granting that said fan was foul-mouthed and verbally abusive as confirmed by reports to us, there is a “line” that a PBA player cannot and should not cross: to physically harm a fan.
Coming just a few months after two separate incidents involving players and fans, commissioner Barrios said, “your serious breach of this “line” at this time and in the manner described herein endangers the PBA as being perceived by the public as unwholesome and not deserving of fan support.”
The PBA Commissioner ended his letter by saying a repeat of the same or similar act will result in a lifetime ban from the league.
Barrios, who met with Arboleda yesterday morning at the PBA Commissioner’s Office in Libis, added that the PBA must send a strong signal that such an unwanted act has no place in the league and will never be taken lightly, stressing that the fans’ interest is always the league’s primordial concern as established by PBA forefathers over the years.
While serving his suspension, Arboleda cannot be present at the playing venues during Burger King’s games.
As a contracted PBA player even while suspended, Arboleda likewise may not play in any other league.
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