The Games and Amusement Board (GAB) was far from happy with how the ball got rolling in the 2021 Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup.
Chairman Abraham Mitra called the Siquijor Mystics-Lapu-Lapu City Heroes encounter on Wednesday a "farcical game", and announced a probe.
After an internal investigation, the league concluded that the Mystics threw the game against the Heroes and announced a suspension of play for Thursday pending an internal investigation.
Social media was abuzz right after the match in question on Wednesday which was called off at halftime. League officials said it was due to a power interruption, but the squads had combined to make only 4-of-29 free throws.
Videos from the game saw Lapu-Lapu's Rendell Senining muff on a free throw with his left hand and then missing his next attempt using his right.
That was just one of several clips that pushed GAB to take "decisive action" as "integrity was at stake."
Players and coaches, professional and amateur, were of the same mind.
NLEX guard Kiefer Ravena tweeted his reaction. "Sad to see people/players playing the sport that gives livelihood to a lot of athletes. Wish they could treat it with respect and integrity."
Sad to see people/players playing the sport that gives livelihood to a lot of athletes. Wish they could treat it with respect and integrity. 🙌🏽🙏🏽
— Kiefer Ravena (@kieferravena) April 14, 2021
"There's always that stupid mistake that you Will regret for the rest of your life. #Vizmincup #respectthegame #CharacterMatters," posted St. Benilde head coach TY Tang on Twitter.
There's always that stupid mistake that you Will regret for the rest of your life. #Vizmincup #respectthegame #CharacterMatters
— TY Tang (@TYTang_11) April 14, 2021
"Respect the game, so the game will respect you," said NorthPort guard Nico Elorde on his Twitter account.
Respect the game, so the game will respect you!🏀
— Nico Elorde (@NicoElorde) April 14, 2021
CSB assistant coach Charles Tiu tweeted he was "infuriated" by what happened.
Seeing this video just infuriates me. I mean seriously? Respect the game. Being given a chance to make a living during this pandemic when people are jobless should not be taken for granted !! Video c/o @hoopjunkie_ph pic.twitter.com/8dCaWpqnYq
— Charles Tiu (@charlestiu) April 14, 2021
UP Fighting Maroons guard Ricci Rivero also called for people to respect the game on Instagram Stories.
PBA players Paul Lee, Babes Bolick and CJ Perez as well as San-En NeoPhoenix forward Thirdy Ravena also made their sentiments known on Instagram Stories.