Ateneo’s Apacible to face game, practice suspensions after ‘drunk driving’ incident

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – John Apacible of the Ateneo Blue Eagles men’s basketball team will be facing disciplinary sanctions in the form of game and practice suspensions, according to team manager Epok Quimpo. This was first reported on The GUIDON’s Facebook page.

“John made a mistake and it will not be tolerated. This is his own doing which will result [in] disciplinary actions: 1. He will face game suspensions. 2. He will not be allowed to practice,” Ateneo’s official student publication posted late Monday night, October 19.

Quimpo confirmed to Rappler in a text message Tuesday morning, October 20, that Apacible, 19, will not take part in the Blue Eagles’ games or practices for the remainder of the UAAP Season 78 second round of eliminations.

Ateneo, currently holding a 5-4 win-loss record, still has 5 games left.

Quimpo has yet to respond to a question on whether or not the school is looking at other possible sanctions for Apacible.

Quimpo’s statement on sanctions came just hours after the school’s University Athletics Office issued a memo vowing “appropriate” and “swift” action on the “drunk driving” incident Apacible was involved in during the wee hours of Sunday, October 18, along Timog Avenue in Quezon City. (READ: Drunk driving? Ateneo to deal with player John Apacible)

“John apologized to the whole team including the coaching staff and management. His teammates will be supporting him through this trying time, more so in the faith that he will become a better Atenean. CURA PERSONALIS (care for the entire person),” Quimpo added.

In a video posted by Top Gear Philippines on its Facebook account, a male who appeared to be, and later confirmed to be, Apacible was seen evidently inebriated as he tried to go after and challenge the person recording the video to a fist fight. He was also yelling expletives throughout the over 3-minute-long video as policemen tried to keep him away from the person taking the footage.

The person behind the camera accused Apacible of kicking his car multiple times late in the recording. The person also kept asking why Apacible was being allowed to drive away drunk.

The person who submitted the video, according to Top Gear’s post, claimed Apacible assaulted a delivery van driver and was hitting passing cars. Apacible was also seen brandishing a “Councilor” plate in the early parts of the video.

Apacible was not arrested despite the presence of police and the existing Republic Act No. 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 which states in Section 5 that: “It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs and/or other similar substances.”

Penalties vary – depending on the result of such act – from fines of as low as P20,000 to as high as P500,000. Three (3) months imprisonment is also a possible penalty, as well as the confiscation, suspension, or revocation of the driver’s license.

Apacible is a 6-foot-4 forward seeing limited minutes for the Blue Eagles and is playing on his second year. – Rappler.com