Saipan Tribune

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Emon Lodge upholds ban on Wesley

Organizers of the ongoing 2012 Emon Lodge 179 Basketball League-Docomo Brotherhood Cup stood by its decision to ban Hi-Five/Kevin's Department Store forward Tim Wesley from playing in the 10-team competition.

League commissioner Ed Manalili in a telephone interview with Saipan Tribune yesterday said the league's technical committee considered Wesley's case closed, saying Emon lodge has the right to deny entry to any player as per the tournament ground rules.

Wesley, in an email forward to Saipan Tribune, requested an explanation about his suspension from the league, as he was informed of the ban too late, causing “chaotic and frantic adjustment to the team's roster.”

“I formally request an explanation on the ban imposed on me by the board of the Emon Lodge No. 179 Brotherhood Basketball League. It is very disappointing for me to learn about the ban after our team submitted our intent to join,” stated in Wesley's email.

The veteran player also requested Emon Lodge to specify the incident that led to his suspension, how long is the ban, and if the sanction is or will be implemented in other leagues.

“Please list the specific leagues/tournaments so in the future our team will be able to decide whether to join the league or not,” Wesley said in the email.

Manalili said he is scheduled to reply to Wesley's email yesterday and added that he had already informed Hi-Five's representatives on Emon's lodge basis for the suspension. The league commissioner said Wesley was suspended for committing unsportsmanlike fouls in other leagues.

“It does not matter which league is it. As long as we are aware of the player's previous record [for unsportsmanlike foul/conduct], we have the right to deny him entry to the league, as our ground rules state,” Manalili added.

As for how long will the suspension take effect, Manalili explained the league's ground rules do not specify the ban period, but its up to the technical committee to make decisions on future appeals from Wesley.

The Hi-Five bruiser last played in the DLX caging in Gualo Rai and was suspended for one game after getting involved in an altercation in Andhok's Grille's match against the Smart Cagers.

Wesley's Hi-Five holds a 1-1 record in the Emon Lodge's caging, losing to the Hoopaholics in its debut game before getting a free win via forfeiture against Armatech. Though he was banned from playing, Wesley is allowed to coach Hi-Five, which added the lanky Alex Standish to its roster in place of the suspended forward.

Meanwhile, Elias Rangamar of the Basketball Association of Northern Mariana Islands, which has its referees officiating the Emon Lodge games, said the decision to ban Wesley is really up to the league. However, as far as BANMI is concerned, the association has no suspension order on Wesley.