PBA to press charges against ‘Spider Man’ after Game 5 stunt

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial —DENISON DALUPANG

MANILA, Philippines—PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said on Friday that the league will file charges against the court intruder dressed up as Spider-Man during Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals between Magnolia and San Miguel.

The still unidentified offender entered the court with about three minutes left in the game and collided with five-time MVP June Mar Fajardo with 3:06 remaining.

Security officials of Smart Araneta Coliseum then apprehended the intruder and brought him to the back area of the venue.

READ: ‘Spider Man‘ storms court during PBA Finals, hits June Mar Fajardo

Marcial, who approached the intruder afterward, said the league is talking to police officers from the Quezon City Police District 7 and that if charges are filed, the intruder will be released on Tuesday since Monday is a non-working holiday to make way for the midterm elections.

“That person is already in the police precinct, and I’m asking our legal department on what charges can be filed against him because we will file charges,” said Marcial in Filipino.

“I also asked June Mar if he can still play and he told me that he can still play that it hurt just a little.”

Marcial also asked the man for an explanation behind the stunt and he trespasser said that he was merely spreading a message.

READ: ‘Spider Man’ says no intention to hurt, PBA stunt only meant to spread message of love

“I asked him why he did that and he told me ‘sir it’s election period,’ so I told him that he hurt June Mar with what he did,” said Marcial. “He just told me ‘sir, the mask blurred my vision so I couldn’t see well, but I still sent him to jail.”

Marcial added that he will talk to Araneta’s security and NCRPO Chief Major General Guillermo Eleazar on beefing up measures in future games. The NCRPO delegates four uniformed personnel to sit courtside during PBA games.

“I will talk to Araneta about this and I will also call NCRPO chief general Eleazar if we can add more police officers because this is the first time that this happened,” said Marcial.