Romero sacks import Sharpe over ‘drunken’ photo

Walter Sharpe vs Raffy Reyes and Rob Dozier. PBA IMAGES / Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines—GlobalPort team owner Mikee Romero has asked the management to give import Walter Sharpe the pink slip following the import’s “irresponsible behavior” where a photo of him apparently asleep on a parking lot in Ortigas circulated on the Internet.

In an article on the league’s website www.pba.inquirer.net, a source said Sharpe was allegedly drunk that night.

“Hindi maganda eh. Talagang napakapangit (tingnan) eh. I will ask the coaches and management to remove him,” said Romero in an interview with PTV Sports.

Sharpe, the six-foot-nine American forward, is said to have a chronic neurological disorder called narcolepsy, which is caused by the brain’s inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally.

But despite it, Romero insisted Sharpe’s action has brought embarrassment to the team and the league.

“My decision at this point, I cannot tolerate it. It gives the wrong impression. Talagang hindi maganda. Katatapos lang ng Balkman incident… tapos ngayon ito,” he added. “We have to self police ourselves also as team owners for the intergrity of the league and the teams.”

Sharpe had a horrible game in Batang Pier’s 85-93 loss to the Alaska Aces last Sunday night where he scored just two points and grabbed five rebounds before fouling out early.