by Jonas Terrado
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial is willing to talk to the man who was arrested for entering the court wearing a Spiderman costume during Friday’s Philippine Cup Finals game between Magnolia and San Miguel Beer at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Marcial said he’s hoping to shed more light on the incident with the suspect later identified as Paolo Felizarta, who suddenly ran to the playing court with 3:08 left in the fourth quarter of Magnolia’s 88-86 victory.
His entry while carrying a sign stating “Vote Love” resulted in a collision with San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo, who fell to the floor after being hit in the jaw.
Felizarta was later detained to QCPD Station 7 in nearby P. Tuazon St. but not after being mobbed by yellow-clad bouncers and in the process getting punched by San Miguel’s Ronald Tubid.
The suspect underwent inquest proceedings Saturday and could file a bail as early as Tuesday. He is facing charges of alarm and scandal and unjust vexation.
“Gusto ko makausap pagkatapos mag-bail,” Marcial said, adding that Fajardo expressed interest in visiting the suspect.
Marcial, however, clarified that the league will continue to pursue filing charges against Felizarta to ensure that a similar incidents will be avoided in the future.
The incident was the first of its kind for the league, though it had dealt with circumstances of a lesser degree in the past.
“Dun lang sa pagfifile ng kaso para wala lang sumunod, hindi lang sa liga natin pati sa ibang sports,” said Marcial.
Meanwhile, Marcial allayed concerns that the incident could mean lessen fans’ accessibility with the players as stricter security measures were expected to be implemented in Sunday’s Game 6 being played at presstime at the Big Dome.
Marcial had requested for additional security from Araneta management and NCRPO chief Guillermo Eliazar following the incident.
But the league chief noted that fans will be disallowed in other areas such as the dugout and the player’s parking area.
