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Whopper’s Arboleda attacks courtside fan
BK spoils Gilas’ debut
By WAYLON GALVEZ, Manila Bulletin
Burger King forced debuting Smart-Gilas Team Pilipinas to ingest a heavy dose of physicality in the 35th KFC-PBA
Philippine Cup on Friday, hammering out a 115-105 victory in a game where Whoppers point guard Wynne Arboleda may
have crossed the line between tough-as-nails demeanor and violent street behavior.
Arboleda, a consistent all-defensive standout, went after a boisterous fan seated at special ringside six minutes into the
second quarter with Gilas ahead 42-37, pummeling the spectator before Araneta Coliseum security personnel pulled the
enraged Burger King player away.
Witnesses said the fan, a certain Alain Katigbak and reportedly a friend of Gilas’ Chris Tiu, had been directing profanities at
Arboleda and the Whoppers from the onset, apparently triggering the assault.
The incident occurred after Arboleda was called with a Flagrant Foul Penalty 1 (F1) – his second in the game – when he
sent a driving Mac Baracael crashing to the floor.
“I didn’t know what really happened,” Guiao said. “That guy (the players said) started to curse them. I don’t think that’s an
excuse, I don’t know what will happen to Wynne. It’s unfortunate.”
The assault on the fan came on the heels of two other such incidents.
In the last Fiesta Cup, Sta. Lucia’s Marlou Aquino and San Miguel’s Danny Ildefonso were fined and suspended for
charging at unruly spectators.
The game saw four F1s called on Burger King in the first period, one each on rookie Ronnie Matias and Gary David and two
on Arboleda, which resulted into his ejection.
In the second game, Sta. Lucia Realty thumped Coca-Cola, 95-76.
BK spoils Gilas’ debut
By WAYLON GALVEZ, Manila Bulletin
Burger King forced debuting Smart-Gilas Team Pilipinas to ingest a heavy dose of physicality in the 35th KFC-PBA
Philippine Cup on Friday, hammering out a 115-105 victory in a game where Whoppers point guard Wynne Arboleda may
have crossed the line between tough-as-nails demeanor and violent street behavior.
Arboleda, a consistent all-defensive standout, went after a boisterous fan seated at special ringside six minutes into the
second quarter with Gilas ahead 42-37, pummeling the spectator before Araneta Coliseum security personnel pulled the
enraged Burger King player away.
Witnesses said the fan, a certain Alain Katigbak and reportedly a friend of Gilas’ Chris Tiu, had been directing profanities at
Arboleda and the Whoppers from the onset, apparently triggering the assault.
The incident occurred after Arboleda was called with a Flagrant Foul Penalty 1 (F1) – his second in the game – when he
sent a driving Mac Baracael crashing to the floor.
- A verbal exchange ensued, said photographers close by,
before Arboleda struck, holding the cowering fan in a
headlock and raining him down with blows.
- Arboleda, who faces heavy fines and suspensions and
has been summoned to the Commissioner’s Office
Monday, explained that he charged at Katigbak, a
businessman, because of the invectives he had been
hurling at him and his teammates throughout the game.
- Escorted by security personnel on his way out of the
venue, Katigbak flicked Arboleda a middle finger several
times.
- A venue security official said Katigbak went to the Central
Police District (CPD) to file a complaint.
- Burger King coach Yeng Guiao said the incident caught
him by surprise.
“I didn’t know what really happened,” Guiao said. “That guy (the players said) started to curse them. I don’t think that’s an
excuse, I don’t know what will happen to Wynne. It’s unfortunate.”
The assault on the fan came on the heels of two other such incidents.
In the last Fiesta Cup, Sta. Lucia’s Marlou Aquino and San Miguel’s Danny Ildefonso were fined and suspended for
charging at unruly spectators.
The game saw four F1s called on Burger King in the first period, one each on rookie Ronnie Matias and Gary David and two
on Arboleda, which resulted into his ejection.
In the second game, Sta. Lucia Realty thumped Coca-Cola, 95-76.
