As much as I love watching the PBA, it’s easily the league that has had the most controversy surrounding in the recent years, from Tim Cone’s decision leaving his Alaska team last off-season to the infamous quote by Jason Castro of Talk N Text that the reason why Petron spoiled their grand slam run it’s because of injuries suffered by his team during their Finals showdown, in which ignited the fans and calling him “ampalaya” for his bitterness towards Petron team.
At the same time, however, some of this controversy fuels the fans' interest. Some of it is born out of team rivalries, while at other times it is brought on by a good old-fashioned bad decision. Either way, some players' careers are made or broken by controversy.
That being said, let's dive right in as we take a look at the most controversial figures, both players and non-players, in the history of the PBA.
Wynne Arboleda of Barako Bull
He is considered as the “untouchable” on the team not because of his Michael Jordanesque basketball abilities but he is the husband of the owner’s daughter. Makes sense huh?
Aside from that, he was involved in an incident where he assaulted a spectator, Alain Katigbak, after Katigbak shouted some profane words after his flagrant foul against Mac Baracael of Smart Gilas team.
Yeng Guiao of Rain or Shine
He is one of the greatest tacticians in this league today. He led his Red Bull team to three (3) PBA championships from 2000 up to 2009, where he handled the team.
Some fans criticized his coaching style because it is more of a physical game, and asking his players to play “dirty” every game as one of their defensive strategies. One of the incidents where Guiao participated is when he was ejected in the second game where he and San Miguel Beerman Dondon Hontiveros had an altercation in which Guiao elbowed Hontiveros after the latter hit a three-pointer.
He is also one of the coaches in the league who give instructions to his players in an insulting manner like he said to one of his players “Bantayan nyo yan maigi, magaling yan adik nga lang” and many others.
Indeed, Coach Yeng Guiao is one of the most controversial non-players in this league.
Alex Cabagnot of Petron Blaze
He was the second over-all pick of Sta. Lucia Realtors in the PBA 2005 Draft, where he was doubted as the next big thing in the PBA because he broke the scoring record of Barangay Ginebra Gin King’s Mark Caguioa when he played for Eagle Rock High School.
But after two seasons playing under the Realtors, he was dealt to Coca Cola Tigers, Burger King Whoppers/Air 21 Express and lastly to San Miguel Beermen/Petron Blaze Boosters. The main reason why the Realtors traded him because of the incident where he was charged with AWOL and was very vocal that he doesn’t want to play for the Realtors anymore.
With his stint with the Boosters, he is now a different player. He led his team last Governor’s Cup against the Talk N Text Texters and now touted as one of the premiere guards in the PBA.
LA Tenorio of Alaska Aces
He was touted as the heir apparent to Olsen Racela’ throne as the next court-general of the San Miguel Beermen when he was drafted 4th overall in the PBA 2006 Draft. But with a surprise move by SMC, he was traded along with Larry Fonacier to Alaska for Mike Cortez and Ken Bono, and the rest is history. He may not be Olsen’s successor but he turned out to be Johnny Abarrientos’ descendant in his current team.
Homer Se of Shopinas.com
He was an enforcer to Yeng Guiao’s Red Bull team and was exposed to “dirty plays” as one of his defensive arsenal, earning him as one of the “bullies” in the league.
His latest incident occurred against the Barako Bull with an altercation with Coach Junel Baculi and the rest of the Barakos, and was thrown out of the game along with Dorian Pena.
Mark Caguioa of Barangay Ginebra
He is one of the most controversial players from Ginebra, aside from the legendary Robert Jaworski. Here are some of his hullabaloos during his career: Failure to appear in the 2006 PBA All Star Game because of his injury but came out strong after the All Star Game scoring 30 plus points in that game. No show appearance on the PBA during the 2006 PBA Annual Awards where he was included in the Mythical Second Team and vowed to run naked along Shaw Boulevard if his team failed to defend the title.
Mark Yee of Meralco Bolts
I would like to put Asi Taulava here because of his “nationality” issues before that he made a controversial one, but Mark Yee is one of the promising candidate here. During the Finals Showdown against Petron Blaze, Yee was assigned to guard Petron import Anthony Grundy. He defended the import during one game using his “finger poking” defense that made him as one of the promising medical specialist about hemorrhoid.
Joe Devance of BMEG Llamados
He is the premiere scoring leader of Alaska Aces before, but demanded a trade to get out of the Alaska camp and hoping to get better compensation somewhere else. He got ripped off by Wilfred Uytengsu, Alaska owner, questioning Devance the difference between his salary (earning maximum) to other team’s salary. But Devance opt to remain silent on the issue.
Alex Crisano of Powerade
Drugs, sex scandal, and attitude problem, Nuff said! But with the second chance given to him by Powerade, I hope that he will choose the "Daang Matuwid".
Jason Castro of Talk N Text
Heralded as the “Other MVP” last season due to the absence of TNT’s main PG, Jimmy Alapag, displayed his offensive prowess and playmaking skills during the Finals against Petron Blaze. Despite of his injury and an expired contract, he took part in the team’s quest for a rare grand slam feat but came up short in Game 7 where Arwind Santos and the gang slam the grand slam dream of TNT.
What made him controversial? Aside from his basketball skills, during his interview in their game against Meralco Bolts, he mentioned that the reason why his team lost to Petron because injuries. This earned him the hatred of Petron fans because Castro didn’t notice that even Petron has players down with injuries like Jay Washington, Lordy Tugade, Rabeh Al-Husseini, Joseph Yeo and even Danny Ildefonso.
