The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) gave Blackwater Elite a stern warning for holding what was deemed as a practice session, even if the joint administrative order (JAO) that would clear the team and other Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) clubs to train again amid the health crisis was not yet released at that time.
GAB Chairman Baham Mitra handed the decision following a board meeting on Tuesday.
“GAB issued a stern warning and has admonished the Blackwater PBA team for practicing in violation of IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) rules and safety protocols,” Mitra said.
The board initially thought of slapping the Elite with fines but with team owner, Dioceldo Sy’s assurance that his team would abide by the JAO during a meeting with Mitra and GAB commissioner Eduard Trinidad, the GAB decided to spare them of further sanctions.
“So far, the foregoing measures, together with the team’s commitment to abide by the newly-issued JAO between GAB, DOH (Department of Health), and PSC (Philippine Sports Commission), have been deemed sufficient, without prejudice to any further sanction that the IATF and/or DOH may deem necessary under the circumstances,” Mitra said.
He acknowledged the PBA’s earlier decision to slap Blackwater with a P100,000 fine, as well as ordering its players to undergo swab testing.*PNA
