Alaska’s Vic Manuel and Magnolia’s Jio Jalalon have been suspended by their respective teams ahead of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup for participating in community basketball leagues, or locally known as “ligang labas.”
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed the news first reported by PBA Rush.
“Sinuspinde na sila ng mga mother teams nila,” Marcial said in a phone interview with ABS-CBN News. “Ipinatawag ko na sila at maglalabas kami ng memo.”
Since the players were already suspended by their teams, Marcial said he reminded Manuel and Jalalon about the rule based on the uniform players contract (UPC).
“Sinabihan ko na kapag naulit, mas malaki ang fine sa kanila,” he said.
Marcial did not say how long the players will be suspended.
He said the league allows players to participate in such tournaments, as long as they request permission from the league and their mother teams.
“Kasi minsan hindi naman maiiwasang maimbitahan sa mga ganyang laro. OK lang naman as long as nagpaalam,” said Marcial.
He added that he also wanted to make sure that the players will be safe while participating in such leagues to avoid cases similar to Ping Excimiano.
Excimiano was supposed to sign a 2-year contract with Rain Or Shine but got injured while playing in ligang labas. (ABS-CBN News)