PBA suspends BK guard Arboleda

Tuesday, 20 October 2009 10:52 Ofelia T. Sta. Maria

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has suspended Burger King guard Wynne Arboleda for the rest of the 2009-2010 season for mauling a fan during a BK-Smart Gilas game.

Arboleda attacked Alain Katigbak, a fan who was reportedly cursing at the Whopper. According to ABS-CBNnews.com, Katigbak was kicked once and punched four times by Arboleda.

Arboleda will reportedly lose around P2.73 million in income for the season. According to Philstar.com, the earliest that he could come back to the PBA is in July, after the end of the 38^th PBA campaign. The suspension will prevent Arboleda from attending PBA games. He is also not allowed to play in any other league.

“Even granting that said fan was foul-mouthed and verbally abusive ... there is a ‘line’ that a PBA player cannot and should not cross: To physically harm a fan,” said League commissioner Sonny Barrios.

Arboleda, admitting that he lost control because of Katigbak's alleged cursing, has apologized for his actions the day after the game. “My action was provoked by the incessant name-calling and cursing uttered by the said fan particularly to me each time I was within hearing distance,” he said.

Katigbak’s lawyer meanwhile said that his client is set to charges against Arboleda. He maintained that Katigbak did not curse at anyone. He added that a formal administrative complaint will be filed for Arboleda to be banned from the PBA for life.

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