THE investigation into the alleged Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) game-fixing controversy should not stop with the Bacolod MassKara players, according to Congressman Franz Pumaren, who said coaches, team officials, managers, and franchise owners must also face criminal liability if evidence shows they were involved.
In an exclusive interview with DWAR 1494 Abante Sports Now, the former PBA coach and player said the alleged manipulation could not have happened without the knowledge or approval of those supervising the team.
“The players cannot do that without the approval of their superiors. Sino ba ‘yon? Yung coach nila. Bakit gagalaw nang ganoon? Basically may approval ng management ‘yon,” Pumaren said.
Pumaren questioned why the coaching staff allegedly allowed players to continue despite showing little urgency on the court.
“As a former coach, kapag nakita mong ganyan ang ginagawa ng players mo, ilalabas mo agad sila,” he said.
The congressman also stressed that the MPBL’s decision to impose lifetime bans and remove the Bacolod franchise should not signal the end of the investigation.
“Baka akala nila tapos na. Nakalusot sila. Tinanggal sila, lifetime ban sa MPBL so what? We have to find the root cause nito,” he said.
Pumaren argued that owners and managers who invest in operating professional teams cannot simply distance themselves from what happened on the court if they knew or should have known about the alleged scheme.
He urged authorities to pursue criminal cases against everyone found responsible.
“Dapat talaga maparusahan. Kailangan makulong,” he said.
The MPBL has already issued lifetime bans to the Bacolod MassKara players and coaching staff involved and removed the franchise from the remainder of the season, while the Games and Amusements Board continues its own investigation into the alleged game manipulation. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
