EUGENE QUILBAN, right, in file photo during last year's stint with Mobiline. He was traded to Sunkist last month. (Freddie MANALAC)

Eugene Quilban, a former Mobiline point guard who was traded to Sunkist less than a month ago, has been accused of rape last by a live-in partner of his former close friend. Quilban, 30, has denied the accusation saying he was not around when the alleged rape took place in his home in Quezon City. A 26-year-old woman claimed Quilban, the 1991 PBA Rookie of the Year, raped her last Jan. 7 after a drinking spree at the latter's home on Bugallon St. in Proj. 4, Quezon City.

Quilban had a practice with his new team yesterday noon and later went to team manager Elmer Yanga to deny the charge which carries the maximum penalty of death. "He approached me to explain his side and swore it is not true," said Yanga in a telephone interview. "For our part, we asked our legal counsel, Atty. Aurora Timbol, to help him deal with this problem." According to Yanga, Quilban said he was not home during the time the woman claimed the crime was committed and that he has several witnesses to prove that he was then in a friend's house in Mandaluyong.

"Hindi biro ito dahil death penalty ang katapat. Using the legal guideline that a person is innocent until proven guilty, we will provide Eugene with moral and legal support," said Yanga who went on to say that they will back Quilban, who has a live contract until 1998, even when he decides to file a counter-charge. "Maganda nga sana 'yung balitang nag-concede na ang Pure Foods sa gusto nilang makuha si Belasco sa amin, eto na naman ang isang problema." Yanga then revealed to the Bulletin that even before Belasco formally applied for the annual draft, the Cowboys have already offered Sunkist a trade for its draft right for any of their players except Alvin Patrimonio, Jerry Codinera and Rey Evangelista.

"We know we have the right through the drafting order to pick Belasco and I think alam din ito ng Pure Foods. That's why we politely declined their offer and I'm very happy na sa kanila na rin nanggaling ang decision to give up their fight." He added that he has yet to see Belasco in action but the desire to go for the 6-foot-6 Fil-American was fanned by reports of the latter's talent. "Hindi naman siguro tatargetin ng Pure Foods 'yon kung hindi magaling." -EDGARD A. HILARIO

January 09,1997
Purefoods concedes it has lost Fil-Am cager to Sunkist.

PBA rookie camp a dud.