THE Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra, announced the suspension of the Mindanao leg of the Pilipinas Vis-Min Super Cup basketball championship.
The government sports agency on professional sports also said it will re-evaluate the application of the Vis-Min Super Cup following the alleged game-fixing controversy that marred its Visayas leg.
“The GAB decided to suspend the Mindanao leg of the Vis-Min Cup and put the league for re-evaluation,” said Mitra in a statement released tothe media yesterday..
“We are in the process of investigation and seriously looking into the allegations of wrong doing. The board would like to further observe the on going Visayas leg before giving a go signal for the other.”
“In the meantime, GAB is reviewing the official reports of its field officers in the bubble and that of the league to determine the administrative liability of the licensees as well as the possibility of proceeding with criminal charges if warranted by the circumstances.”
“Our mandate is to ensure the integrity of professional sports/welfare of players and we’re doing just that.”
The Visayas leg now being held in Alcantara, Cebu , however, will be allowed to continue despite the expulsion of the Siquijor Mytics due to game-fixing allegations.
Last Wednesday, Siquijor’s match against Lapu-Lapu City was put in doubt following a series of missed layups and free throws.
The probe led to Siquijor’s expulsion from the leaguee.
Seven players from Lapu-Lapu were also suspended.
The Mindanao leg is originally scheduled to begin next month in Dipolog City.
Nine teams — Basilan, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga City, Pagadian, Roxas, Sindangan, Ozamiz City, Valencia City, and Tawi-Tawi — are set to compete.
The top two teams from Visayas and Mindanao are supposed to face off in crossover playoffs to determine the Super Cup champion.
Meanwhile, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), headed by Al S. Panlilio, supported GAB’s action.
