Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup released two memos that will help police their ranks while a third one correcting an error.
In the first memo, the league admitted to tagging and punishing the wrong player from ARQ Builders-Lapu Lapu when it suspended Monbert Arong instead of Franz Arong.
Monbert was announced during the league’s press conference last Thursday that he, along with Jojo Tangkay, Reed Juntilla, Dawn Ochea, and Ferdinand Lusdoc, were each given a round-long suspension due to “acts dishonorable to the game” that transpired during the Builders’ game against Siquijor last Wednesday. Each player was also fined P15,000.
Both Monbert and Franz both have “Arong” on the backs of their jersey with the former having jersey no. 7 while the latter being no. 22. The two are not related.
After another round of video review, it was concluded that it was Franz who should have been slapped with a first round suspension and not Monbert.
“After a thorough review of the game tape by our league and technical officials, between ARQ Lapu-Lapu Builders and Siquijor Mystics, it has come to our attention that Mr. Monbert Arong is not part of the issue and it was Mr. Franz Arong that was involved,” read the statement.
“Hence, Mr. Monbert Arong is cleared to play effective immediately.”
Franz still played last Saturday during ARQ’s 75-84 loss to MJAS Zenith-Talisay, registering 10 points in the contest. Monbert, on the other hand, sat out the contest.
With this, Franz will be the one serving the rest of the suspension while Monbert got to play Tuesday when ARQ-Lapu Lapu faced KCS-Mandaue, Tuesday evening. Franz will also be the one billed with the fine.
The management of ARQ-Lapu Lapu has accepted the apology of the league for this error.
In a separate memo, the league has imposed to all players and coaches a no-cellphone rule when entering the Alcantara Civic Center. Enforcing this rule will avoid any game personnel from contacting “outside forces” involved in illegal activities.
All players, coaches, and team staff are now required to surrender their phones to the league’s technical group in coordination with Philippine National Police officials when they enter the venue. Call time for each team is two hours prior to tip-off.
The phones will be returned after each contest.
Finally, the league also promoted Chelito Caro as the league’s head of basketball operations. Caro was previously the league’s secretary-general.
Raymon Mercader has also been added to the league’s technical team which is headed by Rey Canete.
