Kean Baclaan, who now plays for the De La Salle Green Archers, and four others were banned from a Muntinlupa inter-barangay basketball tournament “for physically attacking and disrespecting game officials.”

In a decision issued on July 6, the committee of the La Liga De Muntinlupa Basketball Tournament 2024 banned players Baclaan, Ram Panganiban, Alfie Silva and Jayson Tugonon, and coach Hansel Baclaan Malate, all from the Barangay Bayanan team. 

Game 1 of the championship between Barangays Bayanan and Cupang under the La Liga De Muntinlupa Basketball Tournament 2024 turned into a chaos (Photo from Kapitan Allen Ampaya's Facebook account)

De La Salle Green Archers player Kean Baclaan, who plays for Barangay Bayanan in Muntinlupa under the La Liga De Muntinlupa, has been banned from the tournament for physically attacking and disrespecting game officials (Photo from Aksyon Garantisado - Alagang Gutierrez Facebook account)

The Barangay Bayanan basketball team in Muntinlupa ((Photo from Aksyon Garantisado - Alagang Gutierrez Facebook account)

The decision of the League Committee banning Kean Baclaan and four others (Photo from Kapitan Allen Ampaya's Facebook account)

“The following sanctions and penalties have been imposed on the players and coaches involved in the incident: Banned from the tournament for physically attacking and disrespecting game officials,” according to the decision by the league committee. 

“After thorough deliberation by the League Committee, the officials have reached the following decision based on the existing rules of La Liga De Muntinlupa, as approved by all the Barangay Team Managements,” the decision, released by Liga ng mga Barangay Muntinlupa president Allen Ampaya, the barangay captain of Poblacion. 

The decision stemmed from the chaos during the first of three games of the La Liga De Muntinlupa basketball championship between Barangays Bayanan and Cupang on July 5 at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex. 

The mess started when a player and a referee had a confrontation. At the time, the scores were 97 for Cupang and 96 for Bayanan. This led to people and players charging the referee. 

People threw monoblock chairs and water bottles.  A parallel investigation is being conducted to identify those who threw the chairs. 

In the decision, the League Committee announced that “Brgy Cupang won the game for forfeit due to Brgy Bayanan players and coaches physically attacking the game officials.” 

Under the Muntinlupa league rules, “Verbal and direct threat to referees, table officials, coaches and players will not be tolerated. If proven, will be automatically ban from the tournament (threat by families of players are also included). Also tournament committee can ban spectators from the tournament and venues. Instigating player/s involve on a brawling incident and even fighting stance will automatically ban from the game.”

In a Facebook post, Baclaan apologized for his wrong conduct during the championship game between Bayanan and Cupang. 

“Bilang isang manlalaro, marami na po akong pinagdaan at mga pagkakamaling nagawa (As a player, I have gone through a lot and have done many mistakes). One of those is the recent incident na nangyari sa La Lagi Muntinlupa Championship game. Unang-una sa lahat gusto ko po humingi ng tawad sa mga taong naniniwala at sumusuporta sa akin (First of all, I want to ask forgiveness from the people who believe and support me). I want to say sorry for my actions which may have disappointed all of you,” he said. 

He added, “Inaaamin ko po na nagkamali ako dahil dapat ako ang naging ehemplo ng mga umiidolo sa akin pero hinayaan ko na pangunahan ako ng emotions ko (I admit that I committed a mistake  because I should have been an example for those who idolize me but I let my emotions to get the best of me). I also want to apologize sa mga taong nadamay sa gulo. To my teammates and coach, I’m sorry for not keeping my cool when we need it most. I deeply regret the inconvenience caused by my actions. Moving forward, I will let this experience be a new opportunity to change for the better and grow not only as a player but also as a person.” 

“Pinapangako ko po na sa mga susunod na pagkakataon ay magiging mindful po ako sa mga actions na gagawin ko sa loob o labas man ng court (I promise that in the next opportunities, I will be mindful of the actions that I will do inside or even outside the court). Sana po this one mistake will not be the basis of my whole character and personality. Maraming salamat po sa patuloy na sumusuporta at naniniwala sa akin (Thanks to those who continue supporting and believing in me),” he said. 

The chaos during the championship game between Barangays Bayanan and Cupang in Muntinlupa on July 5 (Screenshots from videos of Kapitan Allen Ampaya, Ku Ya Chukoy, Nanette Gomez and Ibrik on Facebook)