By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) has suspended the supposed start of the Mindanao leg of the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup on May 20 as it further investigates the alleged game-fixing fiasco in the Visayas leg.

In a statement over the weekend, GAB chairman Abraham Mitra said they are in the process of investigating the controversial match between Siquijor Mystics and ARQ Builders-Lapu-Lapu City Heroes last week but the Visayas leg will still go on but under “close monitoring.”

“We are in the process of investigation and seriously looking into the allegations of wrongdoing. The board would like to further observe the ongoing Visayas leg before giving a go-signal for the other,” Mitra said.

Last week, the VisMin Super Cup decided to expel the entire Siquijor team and handed lifetime bans on all but two of its players and coaches. Organizers also slapped suspensions and penalties for players of the Lapu-Lapu side.

Mitra said the GAB is still waiting for the submission of the reports of its personnel inside the VisMin Cup bubble in Alcantara, Cebu before deciding on its next course of action.

“GAB is reviewing the official reports of its field officers in the bubble and that of the league to determine the administrative liability of the licensees as well as the possibility of proceeding with criminal charges if warranted by circumstances,” Mitra said.

“Our mandate is to ensure the integrity of professional sports/welfare of players and we are doing just that,” he added./ASC, WDJ