Yeo sanctioned for sin of the past

Two days after joining the pro league, former La Salle player Joseph Yeo was sanctioned by the Philippine Basketball Association for an infraction he committed as an amateur player in a PBA-backed event eight months ago.

The PBA Commissioner’s Office ordered Yeo to render a mandatory community service for three months as penalty for a flagrant foul on Enrico Villanueva triggering a near free-for-all in the Ateneo-La Salle Dream Game last December.

PBA technical chief Perry Martinez said Yeo drew a relatively light penalty after making a public apology following the incident and voluntarily playing for the PBA-sponsored RP training team in two events.

"It could have been stiff but commissioner Noli Eala took into consideration the two mitigating circumstances," said Martinez.

The 5-foot-11 guard, called "The Ninja," suited up with the Nationals in an exhibition game versus the Athletes in Action and in an invitational tourney in Qatar that also featured Slovenia, Angola and the Qatar national team.

The pro league may tap Yeo to attend its out-reach programs as a part of his community service.

It could be recalled that Jimwell Torion served a long suspension after committing the same infraction, hacking Jimmy Alapag on the face two years ago.

Villanueva suffered a bloodied nose on Yeo’s flagrant foul that stopped the game for over 30 minutes. The benefit game resumed with only the pro players finishing the contest won by the Ateneo Blue Eagles curiously on a last-second triple by Villanueva.

Yeo is now under the jurisdiction of the PBA as he was picked No. 3 overall by Coca-Cola in Sunday’s Annual Rookie Draft.

"He’s not yet under the jurisdiction of the PBA when he did it. But he did it in a PBA-sanctioned event," said Martinez.

Meanwhile, Talk n Text signed No. 8 pick Mark Andaya to a two-year deal to complete its roster for the coming 2006-07 PBA season. Financial details of the contract weren’t revealed.

Over at Alaska Milk, team manager Joaqui Trillo has given token offers to No. 7 pick Aaron Aban and No. 18 pick Christian Luanzon, thus, putting a lock on signing rights for the two players.

At Air21, transferee Aris Dimaunahan signed a one-year contract worth almost P1 million.

Yancy de Ocampo, however, is still holding out as he’s yet to iron out some kinks in his negotiation with the Air21 management.

Welcoat is set to close negotiations with all its players today. It has reached separate agreements with free agents Nino Gelig, Froilan Baguion and Gilbert Lao.