The Games and Amusement Board (GAB) headed by chairman, Baham Mitra, has given the green light to the Mindanao leg of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup.
Following the success of the Visayas leg in Alcantara, Cebu, the Mindanao leg is slated to tip off on May 30 at a yet to be disclosed venue. Sources say that several locations are being considered including Tubod in Lanao del Norte and Cagayan de Oro.
"The holding of Mindanao Leg, which will strictly adhere to the ‘No License, No Play’ policy, is conditioned on the submission of the regulatory requirements, such as health screening, drug testing, and related documents, as well as on continuing adherence to protocols and strict supervision of the games," shared GAB Chairman Baham Mitra.
The Visayas leg got off to rough start as a game-fixing controversy erupted from the game between ARQ Builders Lapu-Lapu and the Siquijor Mystics. VisMin Cup officials, though, were quick to act on the incident, promptly banning the Mystics players and handed stiff punishments to several ARQ players for their behavior during the game.
Mitra and Commissioners Eduard Trinidad and Mario Masanguid took note of the league’s initiatives to quickly address the issue and to enforce stricter rules.
"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," said Mitra.
The league also tapped a three-man independent investigative body to look into the controversial game. The panel is composed of a long-time basketball administrator, a veteran basketball coach, and a FIBA rules expert. Its findings and recommendations are now being finalized and shall be released by the league in the coming days.
Meanwhile, league officials submitted to the GAB's Anti-Illegal Gambling Unit (AIGU), through the PNP of Alcantara, Cebu, their joint affidavits stating the results of their thorough review and investigation.
“Both GAB and the League knew the challenges when the games were launched – health protocols and game-manipulation being on top of the list. 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," said Mitra. (JNP)