SAN Miguel Beer management has suspended star forward Arwind Santos, Ronald Tubid and Kelly Nabong indefinitely for their involvement in a melee that erupted in the team's practice on Sunday.
After days of silence, SMB officials acknowledged the 'tussle' that broke out during the team's practice on Sunday at The Upper Deck in Pasig City that started when Santos set a hard pick that decked import Dez Wells.
In the ensuing commotion, witnesses said Tubid, a good friend of Santos, punched Wells and Fil-Am Nabong decked Tubid with a punch.
SMB management said that while the conflict has been resolved, it does not tolerate 'unsportsmanlike behavior' and believe that PBA players "have to be held to a higher standard of professionalism and sportsmanship at all times."
Oddly, the team was silent on the status of Wells, who was in the middle of the commotion. Sources said the high-scoring American import has gone home.
John Holland is set to suit up for the Beermen in Wednesday's match against TnT, where the team will be looking to gain twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
The development comes as a big blow to the PBA Governors' Cup campaign of the Beermen, who are looking to wrap up the final jewel in what they hope would be the second grand slam season in the franchise's proud history.
The team acknowledged the suspensions' impact on the historic bid, saying it made the decision "even if it impacts our bid for a second franchise grand slam."
"Our commitment now, moving forward, is that we will work doubly hard and play our very best, for our fans and for the organization," the team added in a statement.
Here's the team's statement in full:
THE management of the San Miguel Beermen has decided to indefinitely suspend Arwind Santos, Kelly Nabong, and Ronald Tubid, following a tussle that broke out at team practice last November 17.
While the conflict has been resolved, and the incident occurred away from the public eye, the San Miguel organization does not tolerate unsportsmanlike behavior.
Basketball is a physical game where emotions can run high, but we believe that PBA players have to be held to a higher standard of professionalism and sportsmanship at all times.
It is for this reason that we’ve come to this decision, even if it impacts our bid for a second franchise grand slam. Our commitment now, moving forward, is that we will work doubly hard and play our very best, for our fans and for the organization.
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