PBA: Meralco dugout ransacked, coaching staff robbed

Published October 17, 2012 8:39pm

Mall of Asia Arena staff gather outside the Meralco Bolts locker room after the robbery. Photo by KC Cruz

It was a double whammy for the Meralco Bolts on Wednesday, as the team suffered losses both on and off the court during their game against the GlobalPort Batang Pier at the Mall of Asia Arena.

During the halftime break, the Bolts discovered that their dug-out was ransacked, as wallets, iPads, and cell phones of coaches Ryan Gregorio, Ronnie Magsanoc, and others were stolen sometime during the first half of the game.

“It’s indeed unfortunate,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud. “They just have to tighten their security measures and tighten their response procedure. I am confident that the MOA arena management can immediately rectify their shortcomings, ensure the safety of the teams and fans , and indemnify in full the victims of today’s theft and robbery.”

“It’s also a shock for us that this thing happened, especially on the back-of-house side of the Arena. We have expressed that we are willing to sort out whatever needs to be sorted out, specially because Meralco is a partner here at the MOA Arena,” said Arnel Gonzales, General Manager of the SM MOA Arena. - Renee Fopalan/Carlo Pamintuan, GMA News

Meralco head coach Ryan Gregorio talks to a reporter after losing several valuables to robbers in the first half of their game against GlobalPort Batang Pier. Photo by KC Cruz

Tags: mallofasiaarena, robbery, meralcobolts