Jonas Tibayan in the ambulance that brought him to the hospital. –HANDOUT PHOTO
A violent hit that left Mindoro Tamaraws forward Jonas Tibayan with multiple injuries has earned Gensan Warriors’ Michole Solera a lifetime ban and a P200,000 fine from the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
The incident happened Monday night at Batangas City Coliseum during the 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season. Solera struck Tibayan in the face while they jockeyed for position, sending the 6-foot-3 forward crashing to the floor.
Tibayan suffered a concussion, broken jaw, busted lip, and fractured shoulder from when he fell to the floor.
MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes said the decision came after reviewing game footage.
“We condemn the incident, and the MPBL won’t tolerate such actions. It compromises the player’s safety and taints the league’s image,” Duremdes said in a statement. “I’ve seen the worst (in basketball) and this is one of them. The league has the full authority to impose sanctions on this deplorable behavior.”
Solera could also face a lifetime ban and license revocation from the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) supervising the MPBL.
The P200,000 fine surpassed the P100,000 penalty given in 2024 to Germy Mahinay, then with Negros Muscovados, for undercutting Zamboanga’s Joey Barcuma. Mahinay was also banned for life by GAB.
Tibayan was stretchered out and taken to a local hospital before being transferred to New Era Hospital in Manila for further evaluation arranged by team owner and Pola Mayor Jennifer Cruz.
Mindoro went on to beat Gensan, 76-72, improving to 13-10 and moving just behind their victims (13-9) in the 30-team elimination phase.
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