Globalport’s Sharpe axed for improper conduct

Games today:

Araneta Coliseum

5:15 p.m.- Rain or Shine vs. Barako Bull

7:30 p.m.- San Mig Coffee vs. Air21

Days after the controversial exit of former Petron Blaze import Renaldo Balkman, another reinforcement in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) was told to pack up and go home for actions deemed by his mother team as improper conduct.

Globalport Batang Pier import Walter Sharpe was given the pink slip after he was caught sleeping in a parking lot in Pasig City, where a row of bars is located.

In a report by Spin.ph, team owner Mikee Romero described Sharpe’s actions as “an act unbecoming of a professional basketball player.”

Sharpe is the second import to be axed following the banning for life of Renaldo Balkman.

Balkman was banned for life from the league following his outburst in Petron’s 73-83 loss to the Alaska Aces last March 8, where he attacked his teammates who tried to pacify him after he confronted game officials.

Sharpe and Balkman had stints in the NBA with the former once suiting up for the Detroit Pistons and the latter previously donning the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets jerseys.

Globalport is reportedly conducting further investigation of the incident as he was allegedly with some teammates in a drinking session before he was photographed sleeping in the parking lot early Monday morning. The photo was posted at Spin.ph

Sharpe is suffering from Narcolepsy which, according to beedictionary.com, is a sleep disorder characterized by sudden and uncontrollable episodes of deep sleep. Sharpe was asked to appear before the Commissioner’s Office on Wednesday.

“Any player, whether a local or an import should be a good role model for the Filipinos and most especially our youth,” said Romero in a statement that was issued after the team management met with Sharpe.

Sharpe was the second to play for Globalport as an import in the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup next to Justin Williams. Sharpe tallied 24 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in Globalport’s 94-106 loss to the Air21 Express last March 10. He came up with a forgettable performance in his second game with the team, scoring just two points in an 85-93 loss to the Alaska Aces last Sunday.