PBA-DL: Fruitas Shakers forfeit debut for fielding ineligible player

(Updated 3:03pm) One-and-done player "Jainamite" Jai Reyes' big game as a member of the Fruitas Shakers will unfortunately be removed from the record books, PBA commissioner Chito Salud ruled Monday.

my one and done game for @fruitasshakes got forfeited. good thing not my fault #shakeit — Jai Reyes (@jaireyes5) October 30, 2012

The Fruitas' 88-82 win over the Cafe France Bakers was forfeited, after the Shakers were unable to submit the necessary documents proving forward Joseph Eriobu's Filipino citizenship. They were also slapped with a P25,000 fine. In a letter to newly-installed FEU mentor and Fruitas head coach Nash Racela, Salud wrote, “This Office having no record in its file of the submission of the Bureau of Immigration [BI] Order of Recognition, the minimum requirement for foreign-born players like Mr, Erioubu, holds that the said player is ineligible to play in the PBA D-League until such time that he complies with the league’s documentary requirements.” It is for a similar reason that Fil-Am center Greg Slaughter's debut as an NLEX Road Warrior will be delayed, as he endeavors to complete the necessary paperwork. Eriobu, who plays collegiate ball for the Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals after completing a transfer from the National University Bulldogs, was born in Hong Kong to a Filipino mother. The 6'4" power forward started the match, playing eight minutes, and scoring two points. The Shakers are slated to play their next game against the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems on November 8. - AMD, GMA News