• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya demanded July 30 that the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and the Games and Amusements Board investigate the alleged game-fixing in the Bacolod MassKara’s 100-64 defeat to the Bulacan Kuyas at the Pasay Astrodome July 28.
Gasataya lamented the fourth-quarter performance of Bacolod MassKara, noting a near eight-minute scoring drought and passive play that compromised the city’s reputation and cultural trademark.
The mayor called for a technical audit of the game tape, and sought sworn explanations from the basketball team that is named after the world-renowned festival of Bacolod.
“We cannot, and we will never allow the name and identity of Bacolod City to be associated with, or tarnished, by illegal game-fixing or irregular betting schemes,” Gasataya stressed in his letter to the MPBL.
He said the “MassKara” brand carries cultural significance as a protected trademark and a symbol of Bacolod’s resilience.
“If you know how to watch basketball, it’s infuriating, although I am coming from the point of view of someone from Bacolod. They are using the name Bacolod MassKara, and then that’s the result,” he said.
“The passive on-court demeanor, unusual player rotations, and highly irregular lapses flagged by both the public and game commentators during the said game evidently point to a potential violation of sports integrity and professional standards,” Gasataya added.
“We expect nothing less than a transparent and absolute pursuit of truth and fairness to protect the League and our local sports programs, and uphold the dignity and integrity of sports,” the mayor said in a statement.
Gasataya added that the city government has nothing to do with the management and operation of the Bacolod MassKara team.
Meanwhile, the MPBL said it has issued permanent bans to involved players and coaches of Bacolod MassKara following allegations of game manipulation.
It also cancelled the franchise’s participation for the rest of the season, as part of the League’s disciplinary actions. | TMD
