RAYMOND Almazan missed Meralco’s game against Converge on Sunday as he was suspended by the PBA for one game after he was accused of attempting to bribe a traffic officer after a violation at the EDSA Busway.
A source said Almazan was found iin violation of a clause in the PBA Uniform Players’ Contract that says a player should conduct himself in a “proper and respectful manner, in good demeanor, and worthy of emulation from the public.”
READ Almazan accused of bribe attempt after Edsa busway violation
He, however, denied attempting to bribe his way out of the bind, saying traffic enforcers may have misinterpreted the situation when his wife handing him money. The money, Almazan insisted, was intended to settle the fine for the traffic violation.
The Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation reported on its Facebook page that the Bolts big man was flagged down for using the EDSA Busway, which is only for authorized buses and vehicles bearing top officials in government.
Almazan was issued a violation ticket for disregarding traffic signs and driving without the certificate of registration (CR) and official receipt (OR) of the SUV vehicle he was driving.
Almazan was conspicuously missing from the Bolts' defeat to Converge, 104-99, that dropped the Bolts to 3-5 and and a tie for ninth placewith Blackwater and Phoenix.
Meralco coach Luigi Trillo said Almazan would have helped the team on Sunday, and respectfully declined further comment on his absence and the reason behind it.
Having served a one-game suspension, Almazan will be eligible to play for Friday’s game against Phoenix.
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.
