MARC Pingris said he will not tolerate game-fixing in the newly-formed Philippine Super League and that he will not hesitate to file cases against persons involved in such activities.
Speaking during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday, Pingris gave a stern warning to persons who intend to get involved in game-fixing in the new regional league.
Pingris cited the controversial game in the Vismin Super Cup where two teams were seen badly missing lay-ups, prompting league officials to conduct an investigation which led to the banning of players, coaches, and owners from playing in the professional level.
“Sabi ko parang hindi puwede sa akin ‘yun. Ang nangyayari kasi is lagi na lang parang iimbestigahan, iimbestigahan. Sa akin, kapag may nahuli man talaga ako, ipapakulong ko talaga at talagang tutuluyan ko ‘yung mga naghaharian na ganito kasi sinisira nila hindi lang pangalan nila, pati liga,” said Pingris during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.
Game fixing is a crime under Philippine law
Pingris said being involved in game-fixing-related activities are a bad example to the youth.
“Mas magaling pa daw siya mag-shoot,” said Pingris, referring to one conversation with his son who also watched the game online. “Nakita niyo kung gaano naapektuhan ‘yung kabataan sa napapanood nila na mali.”
PSL president Rocky Chan also said the league will be implementing strict measures to avoid a repeat of the incident. Chan was previously part of the Vismin Super Cup, and said he learned a lot from the controversy.
“Sobrang dami kong natutunan actually. When we started the other league which I left, never ko ineexpect na merong ganung scenario na mangyayari to be honest. Malinis ang intensyon natin nung pinasok natin ‘yun pero giniba lang but ginawan natin ng solusyon,” said Chan.
“We will be much stricter when it comes to this kind of issues about game-fixing or ‘yung laglag laro na mga players na ‘to. Actually, may mga players kasi na may red flags, kinausap na namin mga team owners na talk to the players and this is a second chance for them na maglaro ng maayos and ang daming kabataan na nanonood.”
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