Fan readies charges vs short-fused Arboleda

Alain Katigbac, the fan who was attacked by Burger King guard Wynne Arboleda during the game between Smart Gilas and the Whopper in the Philippine Basketball Association last Friday, is preparing to haul the controversial cager to court for his actions. According to Katigbac’s counsel Jose Angelo Agcaoili, they are readying criminal charges and damage suit against Arboleda, who has earlier been suspended by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) for the rest of the 2009-2010 season for physically harming Katigbac. “The incident should be severely dealt with," Agcaoili said in a press statement Tuesday. “Our offices have drafted and prepared criminal charges and later a damage suit will be filed against Mr. Arboleda." Katigbac’s camp is also not satisfied with the season-long suspension that the pro league meted on the burly guard. “We will likewise file a formal administrative complaint address to (PBA) Commissioner Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios recommending to the PBA board that Mr. Arboleda be banned for life from playing in the PBA and any professional circuit or meted a penalty commensurate to his actuations," Agcaoili said. “Otherwise, Wynne Arboleda and players with similar inclinations will never learn meaning and correct definition of sportsmanship." Mental anguish Katigbac, an avid basketball fan who regularly watches PBA games live, was traumatized by Arboleda’s “brutal attack," his lawyer said. “On the way to the hospital, our client vomited and felt very nauseous. His medical report revealed that he had sustained serious emotional trauma and several serious injuries as a result of Mr. Arboleda’s attack. A doctor has even opined that the kick and blows could have been fatal," Agcaoili said. “Moreover, as a result of this vicious attack, our client continues to suffer not only physically but also mental anguish, fright, anxiety, shock, and humiliation," he added.
He narrated that Katigbac’s family was not spared. The lawyer said Katigbac's parents, both in their senior years, experienced elevated blood pressure while his wife, who is six months pregnant, shook violently and continue to suffer sleepless nights due to the "brutal attack," captured live on national TV and uploaded and played over and over again on YouTube. “His family is still in total shock and in complete fear and indignation over how a professional basketball player in the country’s professional league can behave in such as manner as Wynne Arboleda did," Agcaoili said. Arboleda claimed his action was “provoked by the incessant name-calling and cursing uttered by the said fan (Katigbac) particularly to me each time I was within hearing distance." He added that “the continuous barrage of invectives and insults towards my personality, my family and my team were just too difficult to withstand." But for the aggrieved party, there’s just no justification to such action. “As all basketball fans know, with cheering for your favorite team comes jeering for the opposing team. But no amount of jeering, heckling or even cursing by a PBA fan will ever justify the assault and mauling by a PBA player of said fan. Indeed, there is no justification whatsoever for the criminal acts committed by Mr. Arboleda against the person of our client, Mr. Alain Katigbac," Agcaoili said. Arboleda, he noted, was the recipient of boos and jeers from fans in the coliseum for his “repeated dirty plays that were hurting the players of Smart Gilas." He said fans started berating the rugged guard for committing two Flagrant Foul 2 infractions in a span of less than three minutes of action. The nine-year PBA veteran had already made a public apology and took full responsibility for losing his temper that resulted in his attack on Katigbac. On Monday, the PBA barred him from playing the remainder of the season, a suspension that translates to P2.73 million in lost income for Arboleda, not counting won game, advancement and player award bonuses. While serving his suspension, Arboleda cannot be present at the playing venues during Burger King’s games. - GMANews.TV