The Philippine Basketball Association yesterday slammed down hard on holdout EJ Feihl, the seven-foot ex-Ginebra center-forward who has signed up with AMA Computer College in the amateur Philippine Basketball League.

PBA Commissioner Jun Bernardino extended the La Tondena franchise's right of first refusal on the recalcitrant cager up to December 1998 instead of 1997.

Bernardino also decreed that Feihl "is ineligible to play" in the ongoing All Filipino Cup.

"This means that although LTDI (La Tondena) can trade you to another team immediately, the new team can only field/use you beginning the 1997 second conference," Bernardino said.

But should LTDI decide to freeze Feihl, he cannot be tendered an offer sheet up to the end of 1998. Under this ruling, he becomes a free agent only on Jan. 1, 1999.

In his letter to Feihl, Bernardino said: "We wish to remind you that as a professional player, you have an obligation not only to yourself but also to your team and to the league to conduct negotiations in good faith and with proper decorum. Rights have corresponding obligations and you cannot conduct yourself as if your rights are paramount over their rights. You must realize that the PBA is a structured association and your decisions must conform to the rules and regulations of the league."

February 24,1997
Rookie lifts Mobiline past PureFoods.

Buzzer-beating trey lifts Gordon's Gin.

February 22,1997
Jacobs steers San Mig to a big 70-66 victory.

February 21,1997
Sta. Lucia guns for win No.2; Jacobs debuts with San Miguel.

February 20,1997
BCAP to pursue fight vs. Jacobs.

February 19,1997
Sta. Lucia posts 'ugly win' over Pop Cola.

Decimated Gordon's Gin drops Shell, 88-81.

Angry Ginebra finally drops bid to re-sign Feihl.

February 18,1997
Gordon's Gin, Shell mix it up tonight.

February 17,1997
Alaska thunders past Mobiline.