Disgruntled guard Wynne Arboleda could only hope the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) would lift the season ban imposed on him and let him play in the coming Fiesta Conference.

For Air21 team manager and PBA chairman Lito Alvarez, his ward has suffered enough.

"He's been suspended for one conference. I think he has suffered enough," Alvarez told GMANews.TV. "I think the incident that happened to Wynne, with the new guidelines imposed by the league regarding players' involvement with fans, won't happen again.

Air21 will make its formal appeal to PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios regarding Arboleda's possible reinstatement. The burly Express playmaker suffered not just morally but financially when the league suspended for the rest of the season.

"At 33, Wynne is not getting any younger and doesn't have many chances left. It would be a loss of opportunity if he won't play for one year," added Alvarez.

Arboleda, who made a public apology after attacking Smart Gilas fan Alain Katigbac, recounted how tough it was being suspended without pay. The cager lost P2.73-million in income, excluding bonuses.

"It was really tough for my family. We struggled financially," said Arboleda in Filipino during a telephone interview. "My wife doesn't work and the small business that I managed to put is enough to make ends meet."

While serving the suspension, Arboleda focused himself on getting back into action at the proper time. That's why he kept himself in tip-top shape by joining the Express in their practices.

Off-court battle
But aside from the season-long ban the league imposed on Arboleda, the pride of Kalibo, Aklan is also facing a tough battle outside the playing court - a lawsuit against Katigbak, who filed charges against him during the incident that happened during the game between Burger King and Smart Gilas.

Arboleda's attorneys tried to arrange a settlement with the Smart Gilas fan but Katigbac declined the offer.

"I think the case is already at the fiscal's office," said Arboleda. "The truth will come out that I only did that to protect my family's reputation for degrading me."

"I know that I made a mistake in the eyes of the fans, the league, and my co-players. That's why when commissioner Barrios summoned me to explain my side, I told him that I only did that to protect the ones I love," he added.

GMANews.TV tried to get Barrios' reaction on Air21's appeal but the PBA commissioner is in a meeting for the league's All-Star Game next month. - GMANews.TV