Allado urged to retract game-fixing accusation

MANILA — Basketball player Don Allado should make an " on- therecord" retraction of his game-fixing accusation in the Philippine Basketball Association at a congressional inquiry in the House of Representatives, a lawmaker said Monday.

Pwersang Bayaning Atleta party-list Rep. Mark Sambar said if Allado wants to withdraw his claims of game-fixing in the premier basketball league in the country, he should do it during the House hearing.

" If he wants to maintain that statement, [it should be made] on record," Sambar said in a television interview.

He noted that the investigation on the alleged game-fixing in the PBA would push through to maintain the credibility of the league.

" Kaya ipagpapatuloy namin ang investigation sa Congress, kung may game-fxining or wala. There's a few things na matutulungan dito, there's a lot of betting involved, a lot of gambling lalo na sa PBA games... Kung may betting dyan at may kumukontrol, maraming

ang natatalo dyan,"

fans Sambar added.

He also pointed out that he would not want any whitewash or cover-up on the allegations made by Allado.

" Hindi kami papayag sa whitewash if ever maginvestige ang PBA... Bakit highest ang fine P500,000 for a player, there's no supporting evidence? Bakit ganon kalaki fine kay Don Allado? Yung other referees, bakit hindi narinig ang ng

side other referees there?" Sambar said.

Aside from Allado, Sambar said the House would also summon PBA commissioners and officials and retired players and referees.

" There's no investigation in the past. This is a momentous occasion na kung matuloy ang investigation na ito," he said, referring to the previous accusations of game-fixing in the PBA. —