KOKO SEEKS END TO VIOLENCE IN PBA GAMES

Stop the increasing incidence of violence in Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) games.

Senator Aquilino "Koko" L. Pimentel III, PDP Laban President, today urged the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement which he chairs to conduct an investigation of the rules of the PBA due to the rising number of violent confrontations in games of the professional basketball league.

Pimentel cited a recent news article by William Esposo suggesting that PBA Commissioner Rudy Salud must be called to task over the evolution of PBA's rules and how players and questionable referees glaringly abuse the rules.

The article said that not even the International Basketball Federation nor the National Basketball Association tolerate such dirty or rough plays as practiced in the PBA.

Pimentel said that if PBA players will get used to playing with these lax rules it will make local teams lose games in international tournaments.

"If the situation continues it will condition our young peoples' minds that rough and dirty tactics are good methods to adopt in order to attain a goal," the lawmaker said.

Pimentel also cited sports analyst Ronnie Nathanielz who said in a TV interview said that PBA will have to reassess its policies on officiating as players have become more physical during games.

Pimentel warned that lawsuits for damages by PBA players against the PBA may even result because the PBA has been allowing harmful rules to be adopted in the pro league.

Moreover, he said, more physical and rough PBA games can result in putting an end to the careers of PBA players.