Victory overshadowed: Mindoro-Gensan MPBL Game ends in violence

A hard-fought 2025 MPBL Season matchup at Batangas City Coliseum turned troubling after a violent incident on Monday night, August 11.

Gensan’s Michole Sorela threw a punch at Mindoro’s Jonas Tibayan at the 7:34 mark, knocking him unconscious. Tibayan suffered a broken jaw, a busted lip, and a fractured shoulder after hitting the floor hard, and had to be stretchered out.

According to Mindoro Tamaraws team owner Pola Mayor Ina Raymundo, Tibayan will be transferred to a Manila hospital for further evaluation.

Meanwhile, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) also handed Michole Solera of the Gensan Warriors a lifetime ban and a ₱200,000 fine following a disqualifying foul that left Jonas Tibayan of the Mindoro Tamaraws hospitalized.

This strong sanction comes as the league reaffirms its stance on player safety and sportsmanship on the court.

"We condemn the incident, and the MPBL won't tolerate such actions. It compromises the player's safety and taints the league's image.

"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," said MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes.

Despite the incident, Bam Gamalinda paced Mindoro with 21 points and Wendell Comboy added 16, helping the Tamaraws secure the win.

We wish Jonas Tibayan a full and speedy recovery.