By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Bacolod City of Smiles has pledged its support for the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League’s (MPBL) efforts to address widespread “game-fixing” within the league.

Bacolod part-owner Paul San Jose emphasized that they “have not, do not, and will not condone” any involvement in in-game manipulation concerning their players and team officials.

“The Bacolod City of Smiles team wants to convey our support to the MPBL in their bid to rid the league of such detrimental acts that taint the integrity of the game of basketball,” San Jose said.

“We have not, do not, and will not condone any form of in-game manipulation that disrespects the management, the teams, the players, and the fans of MPBL,” he added.

Recently, numerous members of the 2023 MPBL Bacolod City team received an indefinite ban from the league due to their purported participation in the “game-fixing” scheme.

Harold Arboleda, Mac Montilla, Justin Matthew Alano, John Yambot Cantimbuhan Jr., Ryusei Koga, Christopher Menguez, and Andretti Stevens are among those sanctioned for their involvement in the “game-fixing” controversy.

Additionally mentioned in the list, disclosed by Senator Jinggoy Estrada during a recent Senate hearing, are Bacolod head coach Monel Kallos and team manager Ros Alvarez.

“We would also like to reiterate our zero tolerance against game-fixing issues within our team. With the help of the MPBL and its officials, we are bent on assuring our supporters that the team will not be part of any further unprofessional matters,” San Jose said.

“This team has had its share of ups and downs throughout our number of seasons in the MPBL — each one only makes our group even stronger,” he added.

The Bacolod City of Smiles concluded the 2023 MPBL season in ninth place in the Southern Division standings, recording 11 wins and 17 defeats, which prevented them from advancing to the division quarterfinals./ASC, WDJ