Ex-PBA import, hall of famer arrested in Quezon City

MANILA -- A former import player in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) was arrested by authorities on Monday morning after he allegedly threw a rock at a private vehicle.

In a report by radio dzMM, PO2 Alvin Quisumbing of the Quezon City (QC) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said ex-PBA cager Billy Ray Bates was seen drunk at the Farmer's Market area in Cubao around 12:20 a.m.

He then suddenly threw a rock at a limousine owned by businessman Carlos Vicente, a resident of Project 4.

The former basketball star was able to escape but was arrested by authorities after being spotted within the Cubao area around 6 a.m.

He was brought to the QC Police Station 7 where he denied the accusations against him.

However, Bates agreed to pay for the damages sustained by the car.

The same radio report also said Bates claimed that he was held up by two men before the incident.

The former PBA import said his passport, cell phone, and cash amounting to P7,000 were taken.

Bates played as an import for PBA teams Ginebra, Crispa, and Great Taste Coffee during the 1980s.

Nicknamed as the "Black Superman" in the league for his explosive offensive skills, he was considered as one of the greatest imports in PBA history and was inducted in the league’s Hall of Fame in October 2011.

After that achievement, Bates was hired as a skills coach of the AirAsia Philippine Patriots, a team in the Asean Basketball League.

However, Bates was fired from his coaching job after an incident in his condominium earlier this year where he allegedly assaulted a transsexual, whom he thought was a woman. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)