In a surprising turn of events, Raymond Almazan, the towering big man for the Meralco Bolts, found himself suspended for one game by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). The suspension came after he was accused of attempting to bribe a traffic officer following a violation on the EDSA Busway. While the PBA’s decision may seem lenient, Almazan’s explanation sheds light on the situation.
Almazan was flagged down by traffic enforcers for using the EDSA Busway, a designated lane exclusively for authorized buses and government officials’ vehicles. The violation ticket cited him for disregarding traffic signs and driving without the necessary certificate of registration (CR) and official receipt (OR) for the SUV he was driving. The incident occurred just before the Bolts’ crucial game against Converge, a match they ultimately lost 104-99.
The PBA invoked a clause from its Uniform Players’ Contract, emphasizing that players should conduct themselves in a “proper and respectful manner, in good demeanor, and worthy of emulation from the public.” Almazan’s alleged attempt to bribe the traffic officer seemed to violate this standard. However, the big man vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
According to Almazan, the situation was a misunderstanding. His wife had handed him money, which he intended to use to settle the fine for the traffic violation. He insisted that there was no bribery attempt, and the traffic enforcers may have misinterpreted the exchange. Almazan’s explanation, while plausible, left room for skepticism.
Considering Almazan’s clean record and the absence of prior disciplinary issues, the PBA opted for a one-game suspension. Perhaps they believed his version of events, acknowledging that mistakes can happen even to professional athletes. However, some fans argue that the severity of the accusation warranted a harsher penalty, especially given the video evidence available.
Meralco coach Luigi Trillo declined to comment further on Almazan’s absence and the reason behind it. However, he did express that Almazan’s presence would have made a difference in the Bolts’ game against Converge. The loss dropped Meralco to 3-5, tying them with Blackwater and Phoenix for ninth place in the standings.
Having served his one-game suspension, Almazan is now eligible to play in Friday’s game against Phoenix. Whether he can put this incident behind him and contribute to the Bolts’ playoff push remains to be seen. As fans await his return, the spotlight remains on Almazan, who must prove that his actions align with the PBA’s expectations of proper conduct both on and off the court.
Recent PBA Controversy: https://ph-ballgm.blogspot.com/2024/04/pba-controversy-charles-barkley-should.html
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