PSL commissioner Marc Pingris vows harsh penalties for game-fixing

Pilipinas Super League commissioner Marc Pingris during the PSA Forum on Tuesday.

MANILA, Philippines—Marc Pingris will run a tight ship as the commissioner of upstart Pilipinas Super League (PSL).

Pingris issued a stern warning as he vowed to be ruthless against individuals who will be involved in game-fixing.

“It won’t be acceptable for me to just investigate such matters. It’s always been like that where only an investigation is done. That’s what I saw in boss Rocky’s (Chan) previous league,” said the PBA legend in Filipino during the PSA Forum on Tuesday.

Pingris was referring to the Chooks to Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup, which was hit by a game-fixing controversy during its inaugural season last April resulting in a team getting expelled and several players being fined and banned from the league.

“If I catch someone, I will make sure he goes to prison. They ruin not only their names but also the league,” he said.

“I will really do my job as a commissioner. If I have to put someone behind bars, I will do it. We won’t just do an investigation,” added the revered former national team player, who retired from the PBA last year.

Pilipinas Super League president Rocky Chan, the former COO of the VisMin Super Cup, said he will more stringent when it comes to such incidents having learned his lesson before.

“Boss Rocky and I will really be wary of that. And I’m also asking them to support me if I catch someone whether it be a player, team owner or referee,” said Pingris, 40, a nine-time PBA champion.

The Pilipinas Super League is set to hold its inaugural conference on March 18 in Dipolog City and Roxas City in Zamboanga del Norte.

So far, 11 teams have confirmed their participation in the regional-based tournament.