4 days ago
MPBL hands Michole Sorela lifetime ban, P200K fine for punch on Jonas Tibayan
The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) has handed Michole Sorela a lifetime ban and a P200,000 fine for punching Jonas Tibayan during the game between the Mindoro Tamaraws and GenSan Warriors on Monday.
The incident occurred at the 7:33 mark of the third quarter, when Sorela landed a hard punch to Tibayan's face, sending him crashing to the floor before being stretchered off the court.
GenSan's Sorela was slapped with a disqualifying foul, while Tibayan was rushed to an ambulance and later diagnosed with a concussion, a broken lip, a bleeding jaw, and missing tooth.
Mindoro eventually won the game with Bambam Gamalinda leading the 76-72 victory.
"Upon review of the footage of the incident from last night's game between the Mindoro Tamaraws and the GenSan Warriors, the MPBL has meted a lifetime ban on GenSan player Michole Sorela," MPBL said in a statement.
"A P200,000 fine has also been slapped on Sorela for the punch that left Mindoro's Jonas Tibayan with a broken jaw and concussion."
MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes condemned Sorela's actions, describing it as one of the worst incidents he has witnessed in the sport.
"We condemn the incident and the MPBL won't tolerate such actions. I've seen the worst (in basketball) and this is one of them. The league has the full authority to impose sanctions on this deplorable behavior," Duremdes said.
GMA Integrated News has reached out to Sorela for his side and will update the story when it is available.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
