PBA commissioner Chito Salud has ordered Alaska's Calvin Abueva and Gabby Espinas to explain why they should not be penalized for playing in a game in Sta. Maria, Bulacan on Monday night without the team's consent.
Salud looked ready to crack the whip on the pair, pointing out that Abueva and Espinas' unsanctioned appearance in the game was a clear violation of the uniform player's contract that all PBA players sign.
"Nasa UPC iyan na bawal sila maglaro sa labas. This is not a provision that inhibits them from earning extra money but to protect them against undue and unnecessary risk of injury," Salud told Spin.ph.
Both the league and the team are empowered to sanction players who violate that provision, although Alaska coach Luigi Trillo was quick to dismiss the incident as "no big thing" on Thursday.
Salud added that even if playing in games outside the league appears to be "common practice for years" among PBA players as claimed by Trillo, he said the question remains: "Were they allowed by the management?"
"Again, the purpose of the letter is so it can be done on the record. Once I get the letter, I will assess then evaluate to determine if they need to be penalized," explained Salud.
Trillo, on Thursday, told Spin.ph that he already talked with Abueva and Espinas regarding this issue. And he expects them to comply and honor their respective contracts with the Aces.
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