EVEN after the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) swiftly handed a lifetime ban to Michole Sorela following his violent and dangerous sucker punch on Jonas Tibayan, the latter’s camp remains firm in pursuing legal action.
On Monday night, during a tense third quarter clash between the Mindoro Tamaraws and Gensan Warriors, Tibayan was defending Sorela—unaware that a shocking and career-defining moment for both him and the league was about to happen.
Spectators inside the Batangas City Coliseum were left stunned when Tibayan suddenly collapsed to the floor after absorbing a vicious punch from Sorela—whose motive for the unprovoked act remains unknown.
As a result of the incident, the former National University Bulldogs and Gilas Pilipinas Youth standout sustained a busted lip, a concussion, a fractured jaw, and a broken shoulder from the force of the fall.
No Room in the Game
On Tuesday, August 12, the MPBL released an official statement condemning the attack and issued its decision: a lifetime suspension for Sorela and a hefty P200,000 fine.
“Upon review of the footage of the incident from last night’s game between the Mindoro Tamaraws and the Gensan Warriors, the MPBL has meted a lifetime ban on Gensan player Michole Sorela,” the statement started.
“A P200,000 fine has also been slapped on Sorela for the punch that left Mindoro’s Jonas Tibayan with a broken jaw and concussion,” it went on to say.
Meanwhile, league commissioner Kenneth Duremdes further condemned the violent act, expressing that it was one of the most appalling incidents he has ever witnessed in his long career in basketball.
“We condemn the incident and the MPBL won’t tolerate such actions,” the commissioner said in handing out stiff sanctions. “It compromises the player’s safety and taints the league’s image.”
“I’ve seen the worst (in basketball) and this is one of them. The league has the full authority to impose sanctions on this deplorable behavior,” he added.
Not Over Yet
On Tuesday, republicasia attempted to get in touch with Tibayan’s camp. As of writing, there has been no response—likely because the burly forward is still recovering from the traumatic incident.
Sorela, meanwhile, has yet to share his side with the public following the shocking incident, which game commentators described as highly uncharacteristic of him, considering he is known for being calm and not a dirty player.
Meanwhile, Mindoro Tamaraws Team Owner and Mayor Jennifer Cruz has voiced her intention to take legal action, citing the seriousness and extent of the physical injuries Tibayan suffered from Sorela’s attack.
“We strongly condemn the unsportsmanlike conduct of Michole Sorela of the GenSan Warriors against our player, Jonas Tibayan, during the recent MPBL game,” she said on her statement.
“Sorela’s on-court behavior was both shocking and unacceptable — a brutal act that has no place in the world of sports. We acknowledge and support the lifetime ban imposed by the MPBL on Sorela.”
“However, we are still awaiting the decision of the Games and Amusements Board on whether he will be stripped of his professional license to play. In addition, we are pursuing legal action to ensure accountability,” she added.
On a more positive note, Cruz shared in a media interview that Tibayan is now awake and out of danger. This is a big improvement from the previous day, when the player could only move his eyes.
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