The Games and Amusements Board is set to investigate the controversial VisMin Super Cup match between ARQ Builders-Lapu-Lapu City and Siquijor held Wednesday, April 14, in Alcantara, Cebu.
GAB chairman Baham Mitra said the matter will be discussed Thursday, April 15, after videos from the said game showed players from both teams missing free throws and even one easy layup.
Lapu-Lapu was ahead 27-13 at halftime when officials decided to postpone the match, citing a power outage inside the Alcantara Civic Center.
But highlights of the game showing the questionable misses surfaced on social media, prompting negative reactions from several PBA players and other members of the local basketball community.
“We are awaiting the report of our sports regulators inside the bubble to be presented and decided upon by the board in our meeting tomorrow,” said Mitra.
“We would like to remind our players that a license to practice 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!” added Mitra.
The VisMin Cup is under GAB supervision after it was granted professional status earlier this year.
Lapu-Lapu City and Siquijor are among the seven teams in Alcantara for the Visayas leg of the upstart league.
The day’s other scheduled games were completed without any hitches, with KCS-Mandaue City defeating Tubigon Bohol, 97-71, and MJAS Zenith-Talisay City prevailing over Dumaguete, 92-72.