AFTER the MPBL slapped a five-million-peso fine and loss of home-court rights to Caloocan Batang Kankaloo, head coach Jerson Cabiltes stressed that the problems are best left to the management.
His job, for now, is simple: coach the team and follow orders.
The MPBL handed Caloocan with a P5 million fine after the Batang Kankaloo forfeited their September 5 game against Biñan in South Cotabato, while also stripping them of their remaining home games for the 2026 regular season.
The league also warned that another infraction could lead to heavier sanctions.
Cabiltes admitted the consequences are difficult to take, particularly with the Batang Kankaloo putting together an 19-5 record and positioning themselves for the playoffs.
But when it comes to the sanctions, the Caloocan coach isn’t making the call.
“It’s the management decision. We are just soldiers and we just follow what the management told us to do,” Cabiltes told SPIN.ph.
The forfeiture came after Caloocan opted not to play its scheduled clash against Biñan, with the team previously explaining that undisclosed circumstances forced management to make the difficult decision.
And while the fallout has now extended to the court, the shot-caller made it clear that the coaching staff and players are simply carrying out the instructions handed down to them.
“If they say na wag kami pupunta so we didn’t go to the game, so we just followed it. And then let the management talk to the MPBL whatever sanctions they’re gonna put on us.”
Asked if he felt the sanctions were too much, Cabiltes stayed out of the discussion.
“I don’t have any idea with regards to the sanctions kung ano yung too much and not. Bahala ng management makipag-usap sa MPBL or committee.”
What does sting, however, is losing the opportunity to finish the eliminations the way Caloocan had planned.
The Batang Kankaloo had been among the North Division’s top teams, and Cabiltes acknowledged that the team would have wanted to take the floor against Biñan in what was expected to be a tight matchup.
“It’s hard for us kasi we want to play against Biñan. Siyempre we want to play against Biñan. It’s a very good game, a tight battle,” the tactician shared.
But with the decision already made, Cabiltes can only move forward with the team.
“But still, we’re just soldiers. We follow instructions.”
And with Caloocan now dealing with the responsibility of finishing the regular season without another home game, the mentor knows the sanctions could eventually have an impact once the playoffs arrive.
“It’s gonna be a factor in the playoffs.”
For now, though, the coach is leaving the off-court battle to those above him while keeping his focus on what remains within his control: getting his team ready when it is time to play.
Cabiltes may not have a say in the sanctions, but he still has a team to coach.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
