MANILA – The Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup has lifted the suspension slapped on Lapu-Lapu player Rendell Senining after clearing him from game-fixing allegations stemming from his team's controversial April 14 game against Siquijor.
In a pre-recorded video statement, aired before the scheduled Wednesday night game between Tubigon and Dumaguete at the Alcantara Civic Center in Cebu, league chief operating officer Rocky Chan said the sanction has been lifted after the said match has been thoroughly probed with some consultation with the Games and Amusements Board and the league's coaches.
Senining became infamously known for deliberately switching shooting hands during a free throw sequence in the clash between the Heroes and the Mystics.
The league initially slapped Senining with a ban that was supposed to last for the entire season and a PHP30,000 fine.
He has been six games into the suspension already prior to Chan's announcement.
"After much thought and consultation with the coaches, the VisMin management team has decided to conditionally lift the suspension of Mr. Rendell Senining," Chan said. "Rendell Senining has been cleared of any game-fixing allegations in connection to the April 14 game."
With that said, Senining is now eligible to play in Lapu-Lapu's huge game on Thursday against Talisay.
Despite the lifting, Chan gave three conditions for it, one of which was done by Senining himself during the televised address.
"First, I would like to apologize to everyone--to the league and my fellow professional players--for my actions during the Siquijor Mystics game. I know that it was a very bad sight to see and I learned the mistake the hard way. I just want to say sorry sa mga na-affect (to those affected)," Senining said in his public apology. "Rest assured, if that situation happens again, I know what to do and what I will do will be the right way."
Senining was also tasked to lead the VisMin Cup's upcoming outreach events, one of which has been confirmed to be in Siquijor.
Chan warned Senining that if a repeat of the said offense happens, he would be permanently banned from the league.
Chan said the investigation is still ongoing.
"We are continuing to do our share in addressing the issue of game-fixing in basketball. May this serve as a gentle reminder and warning to everyone playing in the Visayas Leg to play to the best of their abilities and please do not test our resolve in putting this house in order," he said.
The sweep spoiler?
The reactivation of Senining would be a major boost for the Heroes ahead of their 3 p.m. game against the Aquastars as the former is the remaining team that has a chance to deprive the latter of the full regular-season sweep.
Despite already out of the running for an outright semifinals berth, Lapu-Lapu can still play spoiler to Talisay as the match will determine which playoff format will be used.
A win by the Aquastars, who are already assured of a semifinal spot, would enforce a stepladder format with them now heading to the Visayas leg finals outright.
Mandaue, the other outright semifinalist, will then await the survivor of a longer playoff route for Lapu-Lapu and the three other participating teams, Tabogon, Tubigon, and Dumaguete.
The third seed after the preliminaries will face the sixth seed in one knockout match, while the fourth and the fifth seeds will clash in another win-or-go-home showdown.
The winners of the two games will then face off in another game to determine Mandaue's semifinal opponent. Mandaue has a twice-to-beat advantage in the said round.
The semifinal survivor will then face Talisay in the best-of-three leg finals.
But if Lapu-Lapu stuns Talisay, the traditional playoff format will be in play, in which the third and the sixth seeds will battle to determine Mandaue's opponent and the fourth and the fifth seeds will slug it out to determine Talisay's semis foe.
Talisay and Mandaue will have twice-to-beat edges in the semis.
Following Mandaue's 82-71 win over Tabogon on Wednesday, a win will hand Lapu-Lapu the third seed in the playoffs.
Mandaue, Tubigon score wins
Behind a hot shooting from three-point range in the first half, Mandaue improved its record to 7-2 with the rout against Tubigon.
Mandaue converted 10 triples in the first half even as they went on a 26-4 run late in the second quarter to pull away for good.
Tabogon still tried to come back into the game, but they could only draw to as close as seven points midway through the fourth period.
Gryann Mendoza had his usual numbers for Mandaue with 19 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
But it was Steve Castro who got the major rave from Assistant Coach Jabby Bautista.
“It's about time that Steve Castro gets his breakout game kasi since the start sa league, siya ang pinaka-consistent (because since the start of the league, he is the most consistent) and giving quality minutes for the team,” Bautista said of Castro, who had 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting, two rebounds, and three steals off the bench.
Arvie Bringas made 19 markers and nine boards for Tabogon.
In the nightcap, Tubigon banked on an unsung hero to score their second win in the league at Dumaguete's expense.
Jumike Casera scored on the marginal basket with only 0.3 seconds left as the Mariners escaped with a 62-61 win over the Warriors.
Casera recovered the ball after Joseph Marquez's drive was met by Jovannie Aguilar's tough rim protection and drilled in a one-hander off the spin move to put Tubigon ahead.
“I designed the play for Marquez to drive the lane and kung ano man ang result (whatever the result would be), we were going to live it,” shared Tubigon head coach Gino Enriquez. “Marquez drove it and walang tawag ang mga referee (there was no call from the referees). Fortunately, Casera was there."
Mannie Gabas still had a chance to win it for the Warriors, but he failed to make a decent attempt in time.
"A win is a win. We’ll take it," Enriquez added.
Casera's game-winner was actually his only made field goal all game long as the other five of his seven points were earned from the free throw line. He also had seven rebounds.
Pari Llagas continued pacing the Mariners, who are now in fifth place at 2-7, with 21 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, and three blocks.
Marquez added 18 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
Jaybee Mantilla put up 17 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and three steals, while Mark Doligon added 15 markers, 10 boards, two dimes, and two steals for the Warriors, who crashed to the bottom at 1-7.
Dumaguete lost despite only committing nine turnovers as they were held to a dismal 29 percent shooting including a lackadaisical 2-of-27 clip from beyond the arc. (PNA)
