MANILA – The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) is now looking at the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup game between Lapu-Lapu and Siquijor after awkward offensives were seen in the said match.
The showdown between the Heroes and the Mystics at the Alcantara Civic Center on Wednesday was halted at halftime due to a power interruption according to a statement from the VisMin Super Cup chief operating officer Rocky Chan.
But moments after the game was canceled, some video clips from the said match went viral.
These included a botched wide-open layup from a Siquijor player off a steal and a Lapu-Lapu player shooting what would be three missed free throws, the first two not even hitting the rim.
The stats somehow tell a similar story.
Siquijor only made 5-of-21 field goals including an intriguingly dismal 2-for-13 clip from the two-point area and missed all its 10 free throw attempts.
On the other hand, while Lapu-Lapu was performing better from the field at 11-of-21, they only converted four of 19 charities.
The Heroes was on track of pummeling the Mystics after a 23-5 first quarter, but only got to score four points in the second period.
Siquijor's second quarter was not much better as they only made eight.
The said facts, which hinted at a possible point-shaving scheme, prompted GAB to investigate the situation.
"We are awaiting the report of our sports regulators inside the bubble to be presented and decided upon by the board in our meeting," GAB chairman Baham Mitra said on Wednesday night, adding that the verdict may be handed out by early Thursday.
"This needs decisive action as it affects the whole league and the whole basketball community," he added.
Meanwhile, Mitra warned all the professional athletes that their licenses might be revoked if they would be found guilty of possible game-fixing acts.
"We would like to remind our players that a license to practice a profession is not a right, but a concession and a privilege granted by the government. Now, if they fail to abide by the rules, the government has the right to step in to impose necessary sanctions or revoke such a privilege. Officials, coaches, and players should act as professionals or lose their licenses. Shape up or ship out!" he added.
Mitra assured all the professional leagues that GAB is ready to intervene in case they notice sketchy in-game situations while urging them to do self-regulation with regard to those moments.
"We always believe in self-regulation, but GAB is always ready to step in anytime especially when integrity is at stake," he said.
Mandaue, Talisay trample foes
Meanwhile, Mandaue and Talisay pulled off blowout wins in their VisMin Cup matches also on Wednesday.
Mandaue pipped Tubigon, 97-71, while Talisay blasted Dumaguete, 92-72.
A night after getting blown out by Talisay, Mandaue unleashed its fury over Tubigon in the first half after building a 45-35 halftime lead.
Tubigon somehow slowed down Mandaue in the third quarter and was within five, 54-59, late in the period, but Mandaue pulled away for good in the final frame.
Shaq Imperial led Mandaue, which moved up to 2-1, with 17 points, four rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block off the bench as the team's shock troopers took center stage with two of the team's former Philippine Basketball Association players on the sideline.
“The second group and third group stepped up tonight,” coach Mike Reyes said. “Wala si Ping [Exciminiano] (Ping is not here) and [Al Francis] Tamsi got injured. They started their work on defense and the offense came around.”
Gryann Mendoza added 15 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block.
Joseph Marquez put up 20 markers, three boards, and two dimes for Tubigon, which fell to 0-3.
Worse for the Mariners, Marquez injured his ankle late in the game, making him questionable for their Thursday night clash with the Warriors.
Like Tubigon, Dumaguete remains in the hunt for that elusive first win in the Visayas Leg after Talisay dealt them a sound beating.
The Aquastars outscored the Warriors, 33-15, in the first quarter and sustained the blowout despite slowing down a bit in the second period.
Patrick Cabahug turned back time by drilling all of his six three-point attempts for 24 points with three rebounds, two assists, and one steal for Talisay, which following the cancellation of Lapu-Lapu's game against Siquijor is now the solo leader in the team standings at 3-0.
Paulo Hubalde and Tristan Albina each added 11 points.
The Aquastars are scheduled to face the Mystics on Thursday night, but the VisMin Cup will reportedly announce the fate of this match by noontime following the quick probe to the Mystics' clash with the Heroes.
Mark Doligon and Jeric Nacpil each tallied 13 markers for Dumaguete. (PNA)
