Commissioner Jun Bernardino threw the book on those involved, except Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao, handing out a total fine of over P400,000 following the Thursday fracas that had both teams clearing their benches and nearly engaging in a full-blown fight on the Astrodome main corridor.
Imports Art Long and Tony Lang, who figured in an on-court fight that triggered the ugly bench-emptying incident, were fined P50,000 each.
All members of both teams who left the bench during the commotion were likewise fined. The players were assessed P10,000 each, the coaches P5,000 and members of the utility staff also P5,000.
Red Bull assistant coach Rhoel Nadurata and player Lordy Tugade got stiffer sanctions of P15,000 and P20,000, respectively, having broken the same league rule for the second time.
Guiao was spared of any sanction as he was the lone person who stayed on the bench during the melee.
The total amount was the largest ever meted out by the Commissioner’s Office involving a fracas.
Meanwhile, Sta. Lucia foiled Barangay Ginebra’s bid to nail a second straight win with only one import in its lineup as the Realtors came out strong to score a 89-76 decision in their out-of-town duel at the Lamberto Macias Sports Complex in Dumaguete City.
It was Sta. Lucia’s second straight win that enabled the team to draw even with Talk N Text at fourth place with identical 3-2 win-loss cards.