INQUIRER Sports

HIS TOWNMATES in Kalibo, Aklan were all shocked.

They found it difficult to believe that their fellow Aklanon, the one who had made it to the PBA, the one they liked and admired so much, was prone to violence.

They had always known Wynne Arboleda to be the friendly, peace-loving type of guy who couldn’t hurt a fly.

“Wynne remained simple and unassuming even after he became a PBA star. He has always been devoted to his parents and siblings—there were five of them—and taking care of all who needed care,” said a friend from Kalibo.

He related how Arboleda had looked after his mother who was comatose for years after a stroke, and his father who was bedridden during the latter part of his life.

“Both are now dead, but Wynne was always there for them. He may be rugged and physical in court; he may even be perceived by some as an enforcer, but Wynne is another person off the court.

“Talking about my townmate and the cager who mauled a fan is like talking about two different people. Was he, perchance, possessed by an evil spirit at the time of the mauling?” said the townmate half-jokingly.

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For PBA chair Lito Alvarez of Burger King, it was ironic that only a day before the Burger King-Smart-Gilas game, Wynne was a different man.

“Wynne was in Muntinlupa with fellow cagers Adrian Aban and Egay Billones distributing relief goods donated by the PBA to flood victims,” he said.

While he finds the one-year suspension slapped on Wynne by the PBA “a bit too harsh,” Alvarez said he stands by the statement he had made previously.

“I said I would abide by the commissioner’s decision, whatever it may be.”

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I didn’t realize it had been that long until PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios told me that he was not yet in the PBA when former Pasig Mayor Mario Raymundo imposed strict guidelines on PBA fans at the Ultra (now PhilSports Arena).

Barrios said retired Col. Mariano Yenko was still the commissioner when Raymundo issued a policy prohibiting Ultra fans from throwing bottles, coins and other objects into the court and from hurling profanities on cagers, referees and fans of the opposing team.

“We will be discussing the stricter implementation of security measures with venue management like the Araneta Coliseum and the Cuneta Astrodome,” said Barrios. “Fans who use abusive language and flash the dirty finger will be warned. If they persist, they will be ejected (from the venue). Fighting in the stands will not be allowed.”

Is there a possibility that Wynne’s sentence could be commuted? I asked Barrios. Like, if the cager renders community service in the name of the PBA.

The commissioner said the thought has not entered his mind.

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Wynne’s concern now is facing Burger King big boss Bert Lina, who is flying in from the United States today. He knows too well that his boss—also his father-in-law—will not tolerate any misdemeanor.

Perhaps he fears the boss’ reaction more than the league punishment, or the criminal complaint filed by the fan, Alain Katigbac.

“I’m sorry, I lost my temper,” Wynne said. “Perhaps God is sending me a message. I still don’t know what it is. I hope the small business I have started will tide us over.”