THE PBA is set to file charges against the streaker in a Spiderman costume who disrupted Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals on Friday night.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said he has already instructed league legal counsel Atty. Melvin Mendoza to file the necessary charges ranging from alarm and scandal to unjust vexation against the Paolo Felizarta.
But the charges can only be filed Tuesday at the earliest since courts are closed on weekends and Monday has been declared a non-working holiday due to the mid-term elections.
"We don't tolerate such acts," said Marcial following the incident, the first of its kind in the 44-year history of the league.
Like a thief in the night, Felizarta suddenly appeared on the playing court of the Smart Araneta Coliseum in a Spiderman costume while Game 5 was in progress.
He was holding a piece of bond paper with the words 'VOTE LOVE' written on it while he ran onto the court, in the process bumping into San Miguel Beermen June Mar Fajardo and Christian Standhardinger.
Felizarta was later brought to QCPD Station 7 where he is currently detained.
While Felizarta later said he meant no harm, Marcial said still the league cannot condone such act.
"Sabihin na natin good intention, but bad execution," stressed the commissioner.
At the same time, Marcial said the league is sending a strong message that the PBA will be taking an even stronger stance against similar stunts in the future.
"Mahirap kung wala tayong gagawin na mabigat na aksyon. Sigurado mauulit yan kapag nakita nila na pinabayaan lang ng PBA ito," Marcial said. "Definitely necessary action should be taken."
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