PBA saves Phoenix coach Louie Alas from suspension

The sanction imposed by the team is enough, says Commissioner Willie Marcial

The PBA will no longer impose penalties on Phoenix Super LPG coach Louie Alas, who received a 15-day suspension from his team for violating health protocols that are observed during practice.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said additional punishment is no longer needed since the Fuel Masters are serious enough to make sure the guidelines are followed.

“It’s good because they come and the police themselves, so it’s fine for me,” Marcial said.

Alas currently complies with the ban that ends in the second week of the months for violating protocols three times.

He was seen with a physical therapist bandaging his fingers and entered the Upper Deck Sports Center in Ortigas twice, either during the time of a different group of players and while the place was being disinfected.

READ: Phoenix team COVID-19 for free, but some players will not attend practice. Who and why?

PBA teams can only divide their training sessions into groups consisting of four players, a coach and a security officer each.

Since then, Phoenix’s mentor has said his violations were purely unintentional, but praised the team for strictly adhering to protocols.

READ: Every player should bring home their basketball after practice, says Phoenix Alas coach

For now, Alas is providing instructions to his team over the Internet until his suspension is lifted and also counting the number of days before he can rejoin the team.

“It only takes 15 days … (seven) days … looking forward,” Alas said on his Facebook account.