(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Filipino Basketball Player Receives Lifetime Ban After On-Court Assault
In a shocking incident in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), player Michole Sorela has been handed a lifetime ban and fined 200,000 Philippine pesos (around €3,000) after delivering a brutal punch to opponent Jonas Tibayan during a match.
The 33-year-old GenSan Warriors forward struck Tibayan in the face, leaving him lying on the court for nearly five minutes before medical staff rushed him to the hospital.
Doctors later confirmed that Tibayan suffered a broken jaw, a concussion, and required stitches on his lip.
League officials condemned the act, calling it “unacceptable and against the spirit of the game.” Sorela was immediately ejected with a disqualifying foul, and his lifetime ban took effect the same day.
It remains uncertain whether Tibayan will pursue legal action against Sorela following the violent altercation.
