Missing Talk ‘N Text All-Stars face possible sanctions, says Salud

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

Members of the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters who have failed to show up in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte for PBA All-Star Weekend activities are facing possible sanctions from the league if they can’t come up with a valid reason for their absence.

“For all players without a valid and reasonable excuse, there would be sanctions, as necessary,” wrote PBA commissioner Chito Salud in a text message to InterAKTV.

Jimmy Alapag, Kelly Williams, and Japeth Aguilar were slated to play in the Veterans versus Rookies-Sophomores-Juniors game, while Ranidel De Ocampo was part of the lineup for the Greats versus Stalwarts matchup.

Alapag had been expected to beg off from the event, since he was dealing with two of his family members in critical health conditions. Williams was also reportedly nursing an injury.

According to one source close to the Talk ‘N Text camp, the players were asked by management not to participate in the weekend.

Another source, speaking on condition of anonimity, said that Talk ‘N Text management had ordered the team to go on vacation, including coaches and officials.

The no-show comes as top team officials remain miffed about the officiating in the Tropang Texters’ Game Seven loss to the B-MEG Llamados.

“May karapatan kang magsalita kung feeling mo agrabyado ka. Ano, tatahimik na lang kami? Hindi naman tama yun,” said team owner Manuel V. Pangilinan.

(InterAKTV is part of InterAksyon.com, the online news site of TV5, which is chaired by Pangilinan.)

Salud expressed disappointment about the absences of the players, noting that their fans had been looking to seeing them in action.

“For whatever reasons absent All-Star players may have, valid or otherwise, I am sad and disappointed for the fans who had been eagerly awaiting their presence,” he said.

“They are certainly missed not just by the fans, but by their PBA family as well.”

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