Filbasket needs GAB OK to stage games again

The Filipino Basketball League (Filbasket) can no longer hold future tournaments or games unless the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) says so.

For violation of Presidential Decree (PD) 871 or the law placing professional basketball under GAB supervision, the agency under Chair Abraham “Baham’’ Mitra proclaimed the inaugural tournament of Filbasket as unlawful because of its noncompliance with the requirements of the professional sports regulatory body.

“Filbasket’s previous defiance was ill-advised as the rules on this matter are already well-established. GAB’s advice to organizers is to comply with the law and GAB will always be there to assist in any way it can within the bounds of its mandate,’’ said Mitra.

The GAB said Filbasket violated Sections 3 and 4 of PD 871, which declares unlawful any person, entity or association to conduct professional basketball games without a permit duly issued by the GAB.

Under the guidelines set by the GAB, professional sports or competitions refer to individual or team sports where participating athletes are paid or given other forms of compensation as salary or prize for participation, hence, the need to be regulated.

All players, coaches and staff of the 11 teams received compensation from their respective squads. INQ