PBA Free Agency: NLEX brawling center Quinahan will become an Unrestricted Free Agent?

 

NLEX is looking to end the contract of JR Quiñahan with them. Quiñahan has not been practicing or playing with the Road Warriors since he underwent Achilles tendon surgery last year, yet the team is still paying him his maximum salary of P420,000 per month, excluding bonuses, which he may lose. An anonymous source reported that NLEX is considering rescinding the remainder of Quiñahan's contract. The PBA player made headlines recently after a video of him playing in a pickup game in a town in Cebu circulated online.

The video caused quite a stir due to the fight that occurred during the game. Beau Belga of Rain or Shine was seen throwing a ball at the foreign player whom Quiñahan had swung at, further escalating the situation. Jio Jalalon of Magnolia and Robert Bolick of NorthPort were also present in the video, but they were not involved in the altercation. In the event that Belga, Jalalon, and Bolick are found to have participated in an unsanctioned game, they could be fined a maximum of P50,000 by the PBA.

However, Quiñahan's case is different from the other players as a team source confirmed that NLEX is unhappy with the fact that Quiñahan is already in playing shape despite not attending practices regularly. The team had only seen him during shooting drills, some weight training, and strengthening exercises during practice. The PBA commissioner, Willie Marcial, will also summon the players for violating the league's rules, which prohibit players from playing pickup games since they have live contracts that could result in injuries.

Meanwhile, the management of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters has suspended veteran Beau Belga for his involvement in the unsanctioned basketball game in Cebu. Belga received a six-day suspension without pay, and the team is currently conducting internal investigations. The incident came to light when a video of the brawl in the exhibition game went viral online. In the video, Belga was seen throwing a ball at the foreign player whom Quiñahan had fought with. Jalalon and Bolick were also seen in the video, but they did not participate in the fight.

Are they deserving of those punishments?

Yes. Both have merit because of what transpired. I am quite intrigue though if there will be teams that will try to catch JR if his contract is terminated.