Camille Naredo

Basilan Starhorse forward Arwind Santos. Photo courtesy of Basilan Starhorse on Facebook

Article (news)

MPBL

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761221773474555970537_1105901631688506_8788514039035900322_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Basilan Starhorse forward Arwind Santos. Photo courtesy of Basilan Starhorse on Facebook"/>Basilan Starhorse forward Arwind Santos. Photo courtesy of Basilan Starhorse on Facebook</div>MANILA -- The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) has indefinitely suspended Basilan Starhorse forward Arwind Santos, following an incident in Monday&#x27;s game against the Gensan Warriors.In a statement on Wednesday, the MPBL said Santos has been given an indefinite suspension and ordered to pay a fine of P100,000 &quot;for the punch that left Gensan&#x27;s Tonton Bringas with an injury to the face.&quot;With 8:35 left in Game 2 of the South Division quarterfinals, the two were jockeying for position when Santos hit Bringas in the face, resulting in the latter falling to the floor.The nine-time PBA champion was ejected from the match for a disqualifying foul.  &quot;Based sa review namin after one day ng game, we found that it&#x27;s deliberate and excessive,&quot; MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes told ABS-CBN News in a phone interview.According to the camp of Bringas, the Gensan big man suffered an injury in his left eye and fractured right nose. He was also set to undergo surgery.&quot;This is not just a minor injury. The damage is internal, and according to the attending doctor, there is a risk of vision impairment plus a fractured nose,&quot; Julie Anne De Ocampo wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday.&quot;This is a serious matter. We demand accountability and justice from MPBL. This is not just part of the game — this is a life potentially changed forever,&quot; she added.De Ocampo told ABS-CBN News on Thursday that Bringas has been discharged from ACE Malolos Doctors hospital in Bulacan.The incident comes two months after the MPBL imposed a lifetime ban and P200,000 fine on Michole Solera for punching Mindoro Tamaraws player Jonas Tibayan.&quot;Different siya kung titingnan namin compared dito kay Arwind and Bringas kasi meron talagang physical na nangyari before that action happened. We believe na may mga contact talaga that&#x27;s why siguro si Arwind ay na-provoke and nagkaroon ng punching incident,&quot; he added.Duremdes acknowledged the physicality before the incident, which usually happens especially during playoff games.&quot;Kung physicality pag-uusapan, right now both teams naman. And right now all the teams naman yun talaga ang nakikita namin medyo mabigat yung physicality. Hindi lang naman sa incident ng Bringas and Arwind. Lahat naman po may ganun but to the extent that you throw a punch, iba na po yun. Diyan na po papasok yung liga,&quot; the MPBL official said.Duremdes said the camp of Santos reached out to him after the incident.&quot;Nag-offer si Arwind na siya mag-settle ng hospital bill ni Bringas. And ni-relay ko kay Bringas. Sabi niya, advice ng lawyer niya huwag muna because they will file a case,&quot; he said.The indefinite suspension on Santos is effective immediately, meaning he cannot play for Basilan in their do-or-die game.<div> </div><div>BASILAN STANDS BY ARWIND</div>Basilan said on Thursday that they are <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://web.facebook.com/basilanstarhorse/posts/1126588296286506">backing their veteran forward</a>.&quot;We stand by Arwind Santos. While we respect the league&#x27;s authority, we believe the sanctions imposed deserve a fair review,&quot; it said.&quot;Prior to the incident, Arwind was subjected to repeated unsportsmanlike actions from Mr. Anthony Bringas. These were left unaddressed by officials, thus escalating the situation,&quot; the team added.The team called on the MPBL to review the sanctions imposed on Santos.&quot;We urge the league to reexamine the imposed sanctions and to also review the conduct of Mr. Bringas and the officiating team. We call for shared accountability among players, teams and officials,&quot; it said.&quot;We continue to advocate for a playing environment that&#x27;s fair, safe and consistent for everyone,&quot; the team further wrote.Santos can submit a formal appeal to the MPBL Commissioner&#x27;s Office.&quot;What did Bringas do para magkaroon siya ng sanction? Normal naman po yun sa basketball especially right now playoffs, ang physicality talagang medyo mabigat because everybody wants to win. Normal yan kasi ang pride ng mga players it&#x27;s playoff time eh,&quot; Duremdes said.&quot;Normal naman po may proseso naman yun for appeal and then we will review again. Just like doon kay Solera nag-appeal naman siya. Yun and then i-rereview naman lahat yun yung appeals. Pag mag-appeal po si Arwind. Wala pa pong appeal si Arwind Santos,&quot; he explained.The MPBL official maintained the league does not tolerate such actions and violence.&quot;We condemn that kind of incident dahil wala pong room sa basketball yung mga actions like that. Especially if you&#x27;re a role model to the kids so dapat magkaroon tayo ng stiffer penalties para maiwasan yung next incident to happen,&quot; he said.He reminded the players to maintain professionalism and avoid resorting to violence.&quot;We know that it&#x27;s a highly competitive play of game right now. Ang physicality talaga mabigat. Again it goes down to discipline. Kung disiplinado ang player and you&#x27;re under control, kung anuman nasasaktan ka yun sa loob. If you really want to help your team and especially if you&#x27;re one of the key player, you have to be smart,&quot; Duremdes said.&quot;Nasa sa&#x27;yo ang control. Wala naman sa liga. Wala naman sa referee yan. Wala naman sa teammate mo yan. It&#x27;s you alone that can control yourself for everything. So kung hindi ka mentally ready, kung bibigay ka and you&#x27;ll do something such action like that, it affects everything,&quot; he added.

The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) has indefinitely suspended Basilan Starhorse forward Arwind Santos, following an incident in Monday's game against the Gensan Warriors.

The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) has indefinitely suspended Basilan Starhorse forward Arwind Santos, following an incident in Monday's game against the Gensan Warriors.

MPBL imposes indefinite suspension, P100k fine on Basilan's Santos for hitting Gensan's Bringas

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MPBL imposes indefinite suspension, P100k fine on Basilan's Santos for hitting Gensan's Bringas

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 23, 2025 08:21 PM PHT

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