THIEVES ransacked the dugout of the Blackwater Sports team during their PBA D-League Foundation Cup game held at the Blue Eagle Gym inside the Ateneo campus on Tuesday.
Blackwater Sports players, coaches, and officials were shocked to find out that most of their important belongings were gone when they returned to their dugout after their 71-67 win over the EA Regens.
Based on an initial investigation, most of the players and coaches had lost their mobile gadgets and their wallets. Some players have even lost their change of clothes, officials said.
Team officials said the players were handed their salaries on the day of the robbery.
Blackwater Sports officials expressed shock and disappointment over the incident, more so since the game was held inside the Ateneo campus in Quezon City.
Among the victims were Allan Mangahas, Louie Vigil, Paolo Pe, Eric Suguitan, Robby Celiz, Kevin Ferrer, Gio Ciriacruz, Pari Llagas, and two former Ateneo Blue Eagles in Justin Chua and Bacon Austria.
According to initial estimates, team members lost around P60,000 in cash and several mobile phones.
“Malaking kalokohan,” said Blackwater Sports coach Leo Isaac as he expressed disappointment over the security inside the venue, noting that there was only one entry and exit point to the dugout.
Isaac noted that as early as halftime, Llagas had already complained to venue officials that he lost one of his cell phones.
As of posting time, Ateneo security personnel are still investigating the incident.
PBA officials said it was not the first time a robbery took place at the Blue Eagle Gym during a match, recalling one incident where a pro team was also victimized by thieves during a PBA preseason game in the venue.
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