Suspendido na, may multa pa

MANILA, Philippines - Hindi kukunsintihin ng Philippine Basketball Association ang rambulan na kinasangkutan nina Marc Pingris at Joe Devance ng San Mig CofFee at rookie Kelly Nabong at Marvin Hayes ng Globalport sa elimination round ng 2013 PBA Go-vernor’s Cup sa Cuneta Astrodome sa Pasay City noong Miyerkules.

Pinatawan ni PBA Commissioner Chito Salud sina Pingris at Nabong ng two-game suspension kasama ang multang P60,000 dahil sa kanilang suntukan sa 8:11 ng third period sa 102-88 panalo ng Mixers laban sa Batang Pier.

“Fighting will not be condoned by the league. There is absolutely no justification for our players to get involved in fistfights,” wika ni Salud. “Strong emphasis is being placed on this policy so much so that those who dare to trigger fights will be dealt with accordingly.”

Isang one-game suspension at multang P30,000 ang ipinataw kay Devance dahil sa pagsisimula nito ng suntukan matapos itulak sa sahig si Hayes, pinagbayad ng P20,000 fine bunga ng paniniko at panunuhod sa ulo ni San Mig Coffee import Marqus Blakely matapos silang matumba sa sahig.

Ayon kay Salud, mabigat na parusa rin ang ipapataw niya sa mga players na masasangkot sa gulo.

“With this, it should be clear to everyone that instigators, hotheads and troublemakers have no place in the PBA and will be dealt with severely,” ani Salud. “Instigators also deserve special mention, especially those not even directly involved in the immediate action. They too will have to bear a heavy price for their act.”

Ayon pa sa Commissioner, dapat ay maging magandang halimbawa ng mga kabataan ang mga PBA players.

“Finally, I want to remind our players that long after sanctions have been served, your overall conduct’s impression on our youth will continue to last. Be more circumspect in the future. Our players’ responsibility of role modelling, particularly to our youth, is sacrosanct in the PBA,” sabi ni Salud.