Alaska suspends Manuel, Exciminiano for playing outside the PBA

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Alaska Aces have suspended key rotation players Vic Manuel and Ping Exciminiano for their upcoming game against the San Miguel Beermen for playing in a game outside of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

The development was confirmed by Aces team manager Ricky Bachmann, who noted how the two failed to comply with their PBA contracts and the need for a message to be sent to the rest of the league.

“When you violate your PBA contract by participating in ‘Larong Labas’, there will be consequences,” Bachmann said in a statement, but did not specify where the two Aces played.

“We need to send a message to all PBA players that violations like these are taken very seriously and have consequences.”

Reeling off its season-opening loss to NLEX, Alaska is aiming for its first win of the Philippine Cup against the defending conference champions, but will have to do so without both Manuel and Exciminiano plus injured players Calvin Abueva, Sonny Thoss, Noy Baclao, and Rome Dela Rosa.

Manuel registered 19 points, 8 boards, and two blocks against NLEX, while Exciminiano went scoreless in 7 minutes.

Alaska takes on San Miguel on Saturday, December 3, at Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

“We will only have ten players who can play on Saturday. I feel bad for our injured players and for the fans. We were hoping to have a real tough, exciting game with SMB,” said Aces head coach Alex Compton.

“And we will still do everything we can to play hard, play the Alaska way, and honor the game. It should be a really good experience for guys like Carl Bryan Cruz, Marion Magat, JP Mendoza, and Abel Galliguez.”

Cruz, Alaska’s selection in the 2016 PBA Gilas Draft, impressed in his league debut with 20 points and 14 boards against the Road Warriors, who needed overtime to beat the hobbled Aces.

Compton also said that Thoss and Baclao, who have knee issues, are out two and 8 more weeks, respectively. Abueva and Dela Rosa, meanwhile, are recuperating from quadriceps issues. – Rappler.com