PLAYERS banned by the MPBL over allegations of involvement in game-fixing are crying foul over what they rued was a lack of due process, with some considering taking the regional league and its officials to court.
On Wednesday, the MPBL announced that it has banned 47 players and officials, saying in a short two-paragraph mention in a press statement that it is 'in line with the thrust to get rid of game-fixing.'
Although the MPBL didn't name the banned players and officials, Senator Jinggoy Estrada revealed the list of the 47 individuals on Wednesday during a Senate hearing on a proposed Anti-Game-Fixing Act.
READ Jinggoy Estrada reveals 47 banned by MPBL for 'game-fixing'
Estrada said he revealed the list, which included former PBA players as well as UAAP and NCAA products, with permission from MPBL officials.
“The public has the right to know the players who were allegedly involved in the game-fixing scheme," the senator, who incidentally is the team owner of the San Juan Knights, said when he revealed the list.
However, one of the wives of the banned players lamented that the ban - which she rued was high-handed and handed down without due process - and the subsequent expose maligned the players and endangered their livelihood.
Neypes' wife cries foul in FB post
In a Facebook post, Ira Pablo Neypes, former One Sports courtside reporter and wife of Manila Stars forward Kyle Neypes, questioned why his husband was given two yellow cards during his finest season in the MPBL, leading to a red card.
In the MPBL, players who are under investigation for game-fixing are given yellow cards as a first warning, with two resulting in a red card and an indefinite ban.
“Accusing the father of my children of game-fixing after he worked so hard to play his best MPBL season yet is such an insult to our family,” said Mrs Neypes in a Facebook post.
“Wag niyo kami idamay sa gulo niyo,” she added.
SPIN.ph tried to contact Neypes but he has yet to get a reply. The former NU Bulldog and Blackwater draftee is playing concurrently in the Pilipinas Super League for the same Manila City Stars team.
Neypes is the main breadwinner of the family.
Another player, RJ Deles, said his dad, a former PBA player, was greatly affected by the development.
"My dad is a PBA legend, and he isn’t even talking to me anymore," the former Benilde player said.
In 2019, Pacquiao and Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes announced the filing of game-fixing charges against 21 persons, including the owner of a Soccsksargen Marlins side that lost 18 straight games, as well as a 'Chinese mastermind.'
Sources said some of those charged were already acquitted by the courts. SPIN.ph is still trying to get the identities of players cleared by the courts.
Meanwhile, Senator Bong Go, who has proposed tougher laws against game-fixing, admitted that it is very hard to prosecute suspects using games and videotapes as sole evidence.
“In reality, no one would be willing to step forward and offer legitimate proof of game-fixing, sino ba namang aamin. It is through this legislation that we encourage witnesses to step forward. The bill also proposes stiffer penalties against those involved in game-fixing,” said Go in a statement.
The sportsman-turned-politician also believes that as game-fixing continues to evolve, the last thing basketball needs is a witch hunt.
“Nakakasira po ito ng tiwala ng ating mga kababayan sa sports at nagiging bahid ito sa imahe ng ating mga atleta,” said Go. “As a sports enthusiast and basketball aficionado, kinokondena ko ang ganitong pandaraya hindi lamang po sa basketball kundi pati na rin sa ibang sports."
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