Barrios warns PBA players to avoid repeat of Arboleda incident

After meting the severest penalty to Burger King guard Wynne Arboleda, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Sonny Barrios issued a severe warning to the rest of the PBA players that they also face the same fate once they committed a similar act. Barrios suspended Arboleda for the rest of the 2009-2010 Season for attacking a PBA fan, Alain Katigbac, during Burger King’s game against Smart Gilas on Friday at the Big Dome. “A player who does what Wynne did will get a more severe penalty kung gagawin din niya ang pagsuntok ng isang fan (if they are also going to punch a fan)," said Barrios Tuesday at the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum. “This is to impress upon all players and fans that we will not take these things lightly. Acts like fighting have no place in the PBA and in sports in general," added the PBA chief. In connection with the said incident, the PBA according to Barrios is set to launch the program – Responsible game-watching where the league will help players, coaches, venue managers, personnel and the audience regarding their respective responsibilities to control their emotions during the game. “This is a matter of all of us respecting each other and conducting ourselves in the highest sense of propriety," said Barrios. “I have talked with the venue managers of Araneta, Cuneta and Ynares where we will craft the arrangements in security and protocol. Pagrabe na nang pagrabe ang mga insidente about players fighting with the fans (The incidents of players fighting with fans is getting worse. The fans who watch the games also have equal responsibility. It’s a tall order but we can influence everyone to be more responsible."
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Barrios added that Araneta Coliseum officials will implement stricter measures among fans in cheering for their respective teams and control them from heckling opposing players to prevent such incident. “The security people will warn those fans to stop heckling too much. Kung hindi makikinig (If they won’t listen), we will ask those fans to leave the venue. The same holds true with people who throw debris on the court," said Barrios. Barrios even said that he is partly to blame in his capacity as the league commissioner for the said incident involving Arboleda. “There is room for improvement on our part and the part of the venues. The responsibility starts from me." “We could have prevented Wynne from going after that fan and we’re prepared to answer the consequences of our acts." On the report that Arboleda will make an appeal on his decision, Barrios said that they are already expecting it. “It’s his right to appeal since he is appealing on his own. I don’t want to pre-judge him (Arboleda). Besides, Chairman (Lito) Alvarez called me up and he told me that he respects my decision suspending Wynne." Arboleda earlier stated that Barrios’ decision was too hard on him.“Unang pagkakasala ko lang ito at nawala pa ang aking trabaho bilang player (This is my first offense and it caused me my job as a player)." “Sobrang haba ng suspensiyon at baka hindi na ako makakabalik sa paglalaro. Ang misis ko naman, anak ng team owner namin (Bert Lina) pero natuto kaming maging responsible. May investments kami pero ang pagiging player ko ang kinabubuhayan ko," he added. (The suspension is too long and I might not be able to return to playing. My wife, even though she’s the child of team owner Bert Lina, we learned to be responsible. We have investments but playing is my life)." – GMANews.TV