ALASKA has suspended Vic Manuel and Ping Exciminiano for their PBA Philippine Cup game against San Miguel Beer on Saturday for playing in a competition outside the league.
Aces coach Alex Compton on Thursday said the duo was slapped the one-game ban for “violating team rules,” which he declined to expound, referring to team manager Dickie Bachmann for questions.
Pressed for comment, Bachmann admitted Manuel and Exciminiano played in an unsanctioned game.
“When you violate your PBA contract by participating in ‘larong labas,’ there will be consequences,” Bachmann said.
"We need to send a message to all PBA players that violations like these are taken very seriously and have consequences," he added.
Bachmann declined to say where Manuel and Exciminiano played, but confirmed they will only miss the SMB game.
Apart from Manuel and Exciminiano, the Aces will miss the services of injured standouts Calvin Abueva, Sonny Thoss, Noy Baclao, and Rome dela Rosa against the Beermen.
[See Thoss, Manuel, Baclao, Exciminiano, dela Rosa, Abueva to miss Alaska game]
This is not the first time Alaska players have become involved in controversy over stints in unsanctioned games, which are in violation of a PBA player's Uniform Players' Contract.
Early in his career, Abueva was caught on video playing as a 'hugot' in a league in Bulacan and was summoned to appear before then commissioner Chito Salud.
'The Beast' was later reprimanded by both Alaska and the league.
[See Abueva caught on video playing as 'hugot' in Bulacan 'ligang labas']
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