INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines--Burger King and its starting guard Wynne Arboleda issued a public apology to Smart Gilas fan Alain Katigbak on Saturday after the player attacked him at courtside during the two teams’ PBA Philippine Cup match Friday afternoon at the Araneta Coliseum.

Arboleda admitted to having lost his composure in hitting Katigbak, but at the same time asked the PBA for “ways devised to appeal to both players and the public as to the proper decorum and respect towards watching games.

“I realize that this type of behavior by some PBA fans should be considered as part of the game and that these usually challenge the capacity of players and other athletes,” Arboleda wrote in a statement e-mailed to media offices by the league.

The 5-foot-11, massively-built Arboleda was summoned by the Office of the Commissioner to a meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Monday.

“I take full responsibility and express regret over the unfortunate incident,” he said. “My action was provoked by the incessant name-calling and cursing uttered by the said fan (Katigbak), particularly (at) me each time I was within hearing distance.”

Arboleda, a three-time member of the PBA all-defensive team, is expected be fined heavily and suspended lengthily for his actions, most especially since the attack follows two similar incidents occurred within the past year involving Marlou Aquino of Sta. Lucia and Danny Ildefonso of San Miguel.

According to venue security, Katigbak sought medical help after the incident and proceeded to the nearby QC police detachment reportedly to file charges against Arboleda.

Burger King management, meanwhile, through its team manager and board chair Lito Alvarez, said that it doesn’t condone the action of Arboleda and that it pledges “to submit to whatever sanction the Commissioner’s Office would deem commensurate to the act.”

“The incident was a sad chapter in our existence as a PBA franchise and in no way reflects how much we esteem all those who support the league regardless of which side they come from,” wrote Alvarez.

Arboleda attacked Katigbak, reportedly a fan of Chris Tiu, at courtside after he was called for his second flagrant foul late in the second quarter. Arboleda admitted to throwing at least two punches but said he was never able to hit Katigbak.

“I am very sorry,” said Arboleda when the Inquirer went inside the Burger King locker room Sunday to get his side. “I just lost my cool because he didn’t come here to watch the game. What he was looking for was a fight.”