We use cookies to ensure you get the best browsing experience. By continued use, you agree to our privacy policy and accept our use of such cookies. For further information, click FIND OUT MORE.
Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google.
(Updated 9:34am) Following PBA Commissioner Chito Salud's decision to fine and ban Petron Blaze Boosters import Renaldo Balkman, the team’s mother company, the San Miguel Corporation, reportedly released a statement which said they will re-evaluate their company’s participation in the PBA.
In a statement currently circulating the internet, SMC first apologized to basketball fans and the Philippine Basketball Association. It also stated that they accepted the decision to ban Balkman from the league. However, while SMC's statement reiterated the mandate of their basketball operations which is "to entertain basketball fans and foster camaraderie and a spirit of healthy competition," it went on to add that the company lamented the bad press they got both in the local and international stages because of the actions of Balkman which according to them "has been blown our of proportion and has damaged our good name. "As such, given the possible long-term effect of this incident to the San Miguel organization's image, and in consideration of our need to preserve our good reputation, Management has decided to re-evaluate the company's continuing participation in the PBA." In an interview with GMA News Online Petron head coach Olsen Racela also said that he accepts the league's decision, saying "We can't do anything about it." However, while Racela accepts it, he also added, "We have to respect the commissioner’s decision but personally, I feel that the lifetime ban is too much." When asked if he knew anything about the statement released by SMC, Racela replied in the negative. GMA News Online has also contacted San Miguel in the hopes of confirming the release, but the company has yet to reply. Balkman was banned and fined 250,000 pesos for choking Arwind Santos in the closing seconds of their game against the Alaska Aces. The NBA veteran apologized to his teammates, coaches, and fans after the incident and promised to win a championship for Petron if he would be given a second chance.
The entire team headed to the PBA Commissioner's Office with Balkman earlier today, accompanying him to the commissioner's office prior to the decision of his punishment, but their show of unity was not enough to convince the commissioner to ease up on Balkman's punishment.
A withdrawal from the PBA would leave the local professional league without three of its most popular squads. In addition to Petron, SMC also bankrolls the San Mig Coffee Mixers, and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. Aside from the squads' popularity aspect, the three teams have all won at least one conference championship in the past five seasons, stretching back to 2007-08. Here is the alleged statement in its entirety:
San Miguel Corporation would like to apologize to basketball fans and the Philippine Basketball Association, for the unsportsmanlike conduct shown by its import, Renaldo Balkman, last Friday, March 8. We accept the decision to ban Mr. Balkman for life from the league. We do not condone his actions. The mandate of our basketball operations has always been to entertain basketball fans and foster camaraderie and a spirit of healthy competition. We pride ourselves in having great teams who serve as good role models to the youth and community.Unfortunately, the incident has been blown out of proportion and has damaged our good name. Already, news of the incident has spread throughout the country and overseas through traditional and online media. Our reputation is of utmost importance to us because we have worked hard to cultivate this good name through the decades. But it takes only one unfortunate incident like this to undo all our efforts. As such, given the possible long-term effect of this incident to the San Miguel organization's image, and in consideration of our need to preserve our good reputation, Management has decided to re-evaluate the company’s continuing participation in the PBA. Moving forward, we believe sports is a pillar of Philippine society and we will continue to support it and Filipino athletes in general in meaningful ways in and out of the PBA.
GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
