PBA set to punish short-tempered Arboleda

Burger King chief playmaker Wynne Arboleda is expected to be heavily fined by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in the wake of a mauling incident that saw him attack a fan at ringside during the Whoppers-Smart Gilas game Friday. The soft-spoken but tough defender Arboleda is expected to appear before league commissioner Sonny Barrios on Monday to explain his side of the story. Both Arboleda and Burger King management already made a public apology on the incident, including to the victim, Alain Katigbak. In a statement, Arboleda said he regret the incident and take full responsibility for his action. “My action was provoked by the incessant name-calling and cursing uttered by the said fan particularly to me each time I was within hearing distance. The continuous barrage of invectives and insults towards my personality, my family and my team were just too difficult to withstand." “Much to my regret, I lost my composure. I realize that this type of behavior by some PBA fans should be considered by players as part of the game and that these usually challenge the emotional capacity of players and other athletes," added last season’s defensive player of the year winner.

The Whopper management, led by PBA chairman Lito Alvarez, condoned what Arboleda did to Katigbak, who already filed formal charges against the Burger King guard. “Burger King management is deeply saddened at how one of our players, Wynne Arboleda, conducted himself during our game with the Smart-Gilas national team last October 16 at the Araneta Coliseum," said Alvarez in the statement. “Provoked or otherwise, it was wrong of him (Arboleda) to go after a PBA fan, and I, as chairman of the Board of Governors and Burger King team manager, sincerely apologize to the offended spectator." “Fans are the lifeblood of the PBA, and their best interest is paramount among the league’s priorities," added the current league chairman. The incident happened in the six-minute mark of the second period of the Whoppers’ 115-105 win over the Gilas team in their Philippine Cup encounter over the weekend. Irked by the incessant invectives hurled against him and the Burger King team, Arboleda lost his temper and charged at Katigbak, who was sitting at the special ringside section across the Whoppers’ bench. Arboleda let loose a kick that hit the fan’s stomach before unleashing four consecutive blows while the victim was in a defensive posture trying to protect his head. The fan ended up with a swollen right forehead, a cut, and a face that turned red because of the punches’ impact. He was escorted out of the playing court after the ugly incident. The unpleasant event happened shortly after Arboleda was called for his second Flagrant Foul Penalty 1 and with the Nationals holding a 42-37 lead. “As an organization, Burger King upholds the highest standards of professionalism and fair play, and it has never nor will it ever condone such behavior. (Arboleda) has expressed remorse over what he has done. Nevertheless, we pledge to submit to whatever sanction the Commissioners Office would deem commensurate to the act." “The incident was a sad chapter in our existence as a PBA franchise and in no way reflects how much we esteem all those who support the league regardless of which side they come from," ended Alvarez. The fan assault was the third time in the PBA in less than a year. Sta. Lucia’s Marlou Aquino also got involved in an altercation against Jitesh Gidwani shortly after Game 2 of the Fiesta Cup quarterfinals series between the Realtors and Burger King last season. And then during the San Miguel-Barangay Ginebra best-of-seven finals, Danny Ildefonso and Marc Pingris attacked Ferdinand Nervandez at the end of Game 2. – GMANews.TV