Narvasa reprimands ‘apologetic’ Chua over vaping incident
PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa has reprimanded Barangay Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua over his controversial vaping incident.
Narvasa said he already spoke with Chua on Monday regarding the incident where the former coach was caught on live primetime television smoking an e-cigarette during Ginebra’s game against Blackwater in Angeles on December 5.
“I advised him. Sabi ko sa kanya, alam mo Alfrancis, you, being a team governor, there are going to be a lot of implications. I guess you know that,” said Narvasa on Sunday. “Yung paninigrilyo, they think of it as detrimental talaga. Sabi ko sa kanya, ‘I hope that you can stop it during games.'”
Chua, who drew flak after the image and video of him vaping circulated on social media, was apologetic and acknowledged his mistake, according to Narvasa.
“He was very, profusely apologetic. Sabi niya, ‘comm, alam kong mali ako. Sorry talaga hindi na mauulit.’ Sabi ko sa kanya, as far as the PBA, I don’t think there is a rule that says something like that.
“But next time, it’s going to be called under improper bench decorum so you can get a technical and we can ask you to leave. Sabi niya ‘comm, don’t worry, hindi na mauulit yan, I’m very sorry.'”
Narvasa stressed the PBA will not tolerate such acts. While the league has no existing rules on smoking e-cigarettes inside the court, Narvasa gave assurances the PBA will not take similar acts lightly.
“Any infraction of any player, they come in, we fine them, it’s over. Rest assured we are responsible people in this association. In the 41 years, hindi pababayaan ng Board yan,” said Narvasa, who understands PBA personalities serve as role models to the viewing public.
“Now meron na. That’s why we will discuss it. We have to put that already because there are changes with the technology and since it’s going to be a concern for the public then we have to make something. And he assured me and I assure you na hindi na mauulit yon by him or by anybody else.”
Narvasa said Chua assured him it won’t happen again and that Chua apologized to the league, the team, and the SMC management.
“Sabi ko sa kanya, ‘partner, kapag naulit yan patay ka na sakin,'” Narvasa stressed.
“The PBA is a responsible association. We also regulate ourselves. We don’t need people to advise us especially those who are irresponsible people only looking at one side of the story and having it published. Ang gusto lang namin dito is you listen first to what happened and the guy is very apologetic. He knows he made a mistake and he said it won’t happen again and whatever it is he needs to make amends, he’s willing to make amends,” he added.
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