VisMin Cup Mindanao leg gets GAB green light

The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) allowed the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup to resume the preparations for its Mindanao Leg.

In a statement on Monday, GAB chair Baham Mitra said the league should adhere to the "No License, No Play" policy and submit regulatory requirements for it to proceed.

VisMin Cup has to adhere to protocols such as health screening and  drug testing, as well as "strict supervision of the games."

The Mindanao leg of the league was suspended on April 18 following a controversial match between Lapu-Lapu and Siquijor.

GAB recognized the initiatives of the league after what happened in the said incident.

"We are grateful to the league's officials for their sincerity to undertake the needed reforms for the protection and welfare of professional basketball, the players, and the public," Mitra said.

VisMin management expelled Siquijor from the league and sanctions such as fines and suspensions were handed to some players and coaches of Lapu-Lapu.

The league also implemented movements in some of their officials and additional rules in the venue to prevent a repeat of the incident.

VisMin Cup said they are still investigating the incident and will release the results in the following days.

Mitra, meanwhile, said GAB and the league are aware of the challenges in launching a league amid a pandemic, such as health protocols and game-manipulation.

"We are just glad that we are able to move forward, thanks to a large part on the professionalism of league management and the sacrifices of our personnel on the field who joined the bubble as supervisors," the GAB chair said.

The Mindanao leg of the VisMin Cup is scheduled to open on May 30.

The league recently concluded its Visayas leg, with Mandaue winning the title.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/MGP, GMA News