THE Games and Amusements Board (GAB) lauded the efforts of the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup to institute reforms following the controversial match in their Visayas leg last April 14 between Siquijor and Lapu-Lapu.
The Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup recently got the nod of GAB to proceed with its Mindanao leg slated on May 30 although GAB chairman Baham Mitra said league will still be under strict supervision after being given a “conditional approval.”
“The holding of Mindanao Leg, which will strictly adhere to the ‘No License, No Play’ policy, is conditioned on the submission of the regulatory requirements, such as health screening, drug testing, and related documents, as well as on continuing adherence to protocols and strict supervision of the games,” said Mitra.
“We are grateful to the league's officials for their sincerity to undertake the needed reforms for the protection and welfare of professional basketball, the players, and the public,” said Mitra.
GAB ordered the suspension of the Mindanao leg of the league following a controversial match between Siqujor and Lapu-Lapu that was called off at halftime due to several players committing questionable misses.
Aside from its own investigation, the league appointed a three-man independent body comprised of a long-time basketball administrator, a veteran coach, and a Fiba rules expert to investigate the game, its findings and recommendations to be released in the coming days.
Mitra added the league also submitted results of its own investigation to the GAB Anti-Illegal Gambling Unit (AIGU).
“Both GAB and the league knew the challenges when the games were launched – health protocols and game-manipulation being on top of the list. We are just glad that we are able to move forward, thanks to a large part on the professionalism of league management and the sacrifices of our personnel on the field who joined the bubble as supervisors,” said Mitra.
The venue of the Mindanao leg of the league will be announced in the next few days.
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