PCBL import storms opponents' locker, says he was touched in private part during game

An import went on a rampage outside the locker room of opposing team Jumbo Plastic in the finals of the Chairman's Cup of the Pilipinas Commercial Basketball League on Wednesday night.

Mighty Sports center Bright Akhuetie, the Best Import of the tournament, claimed he was touched inappropriately by one of the opposing players from Jumbo Plastic.

Jumbo players and coaching staff were able to keep him out of their locker room, but Akhuetie kept shouting even as several people tried to control and calm him down.

"He said he was touched on the private parts. Sinundot si Akhuetie sa puwet," said Mighty coach Mike Fermin. "Sabi ni Bright, 'It's against my religion to do that.' That's out of boundary na, sabi niya."

The coach said he warned his import about opponents trying to play mind games with him, but he said he understands why Akhuetie blew his fuse.

"I just warned him that they will do everything to get piss you off. Pero tama naman siya, never siyang nanakit sa tournament na ito," Fermin said.

"Pero ngayon, ang sabi ko nga sa kanya that's what you get for being the Best Import," he added.

Jumbo head coach Stevenson Tiu, meanwhile, denied that any of his players did anything to set off the big man, who plays basketball for University of Perpetual Help in the NCAA.

“We were already celebrating. Hindi namin alam kung bakit sumugod 'yung import nila," he said. "Sinipa 'yung pinto ng locker room, kaya ginawa namin pinigilan naming makapasok.”

Akhuetie finished with 27 points, but it was not enough to carry Mighty to the victory. Jumbo won the game in overtime, 89-87, to drag the favorites to the title clincher. —Marisse Panaligan/JST, GMA News