PBA to conduct inquiry on abuse allegations against Paul Desiderio

The Philippine Basketball Association on Wednesday said it will conduct an inquiry on the accusations that Blackwater player Paul Desiderio committed physical and emotional abuse against his former partner Agatha Uvero.

Uvero alleged in a social media post on Wednesday that Desiderio committed acts of violence against her, which included strangling and being thrown onto a table and a wall. She added that some of these incidents happened while she was pregnant with their child.

???? I really didn't wanna do this but the threats have been difficult and I owe this to myself and to women out there... pic.twitter.com/acjRWLOscw

— Jean Agatha (@agathauvero) July 12, 2022

In a statement, the PBA said it does not tolerate any form of domestic abuse. "No matter the cause or circumstances, physical and psychological abuse of women, whether in the confines of marriage or not, is inexcusable,” the league said.

It said that the report about Desiderio's actions "deserves to be given serious attention by both the ball club concerned and the PBA itself."

"The league will conduct an inquiry and hand down its findings and resolution as soon as the facts are clearly established."

PBA statement re Paul Desiderio pic.twitter.com/HyS8e5u4Og

— PBA (@pbaconnect) July 13, 2022

Meanwhile, the Blackwater Bossing echoed the league's statement and said they "abhor any and all forms of violence against women and children."

"Women and children deserve nothing less of our love and respect," it added.

The team also said it respects the personal life and privacy of its players, "unless they seek our help and assistance" and reserves the right to comment on any post, "especially if they are unverified."

"If the allegations were true and the concerned player consents, then we will look into it and possibly come out with our position," it added.

GMA News Online has made attempts to reach Desiderio's camp for a statement about the allegations.

Desiderio did not suit up for the ongoing PBA season after suffering a torn ACL.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News