RHENZ Abando's injury saga in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) could reach a different kind of court as the Gilas Pilipinas high-flyer's camp is reportedly considering legal action on Goyang Sono import Chinanu Onuaku.
According to a report by Korean outlet Naver Sports on Wednesday, Abando's agents are in the "preliminary preparation stage for the civil lawsuit" in a bid to hold Onuaku accountable for the collision that led to the Filipino guard's injuries.
READ: KBL fans protest 'weak sanction, non-apology' over Abando horror fall
A day after the incident, the KBL Finance Committee slapped a 3 million won fine on Onuaku for 'non-gentlemanly conduct' and issued stern warnings on the match officials for initially ruling the incident as non-intentional.
Abando's club Anyang KGC and league fans were left enraged by the supposedly weak sanctions imposed on Onuaku and Goyang Sono, claimimg suspensions should've been in order.
Abando is out for roughly a month or more due to multiple head, wrist, and spine injuries.
Such frustrations led to a two-day fan-led protest in front of the KBL central office in Seoul where the league's alleged lenient handling the Abando incident, among other recurring concerns, were called out.
Condemning a 'deliberate' act
The Naver Sports report highlighted what could potentially be the central facet of the civil lawsuit, should Abando's camp decide to push through with the case over what they believe was a deliberate act on Onuaku's end.
The prospective civil lawsuit reportedly looks to "hold [Chinanu Onuaku] legally responsible for the actions of causing injuries that could have a significant impact on the player's life."
In addition, the monetary fine that the KBL slapped on Onuaku proves the unsportsmanlike nature of the Goyang Sono import's actions, the report added.
On top of the lack of an apology from Onuaku and his club, Naver Sports also added how such a potential legal dispute grounded on in-game injuries could become a precedent in Korean pro basketball.
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