Red Bull, SMB appeal PBA fines

Chances are the record fine the PBA Commissioner’s Office handed down in the aftermath of the tumultuous Red Bull-San Miguel match last Thursday could be pruned down with both teams appealing the cases of some of their personnel yesterday.

A correction that is likely to be made is on the fine slapped on Red Bull team physician John Lim, who happened to be out of the country when the game was played at the Astrodome. Curiously, he was fined P5,000.

Red Bull also appealed the cases of Tony Lang and assistant coach Gil Lumberio while San Miguel appealed on behalf of assistant coach Art dela Cruz and the team’s own physician.

Red Bull team manager Tony Chua said the ejection and the P50,000 fine levied on Lang were too harsh when the import simply reacted to San Miguel counterpart Art Long’s misdeed. The SMB import was also fined P50,000.

Chua made another appeal for Lumberio, who was fined P10,000 for allegedly joining players and team personnel to the Astrodome inside corridor where Long and Lang figured in a confrontation. Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao said Lumberio stayed with him on the bench during the commotion.

The SMB team management, on the other hand, said Dela Cruz and the SMB team physician didn’t join the commotion either with both accompanying Long to the dugout when he was thrown out of the game.

Meanwhile, Shell seeks a third straight win while RP Selecta hopes to check a two-game slump as they clash today in the Samsung Commissioner’s Cup at the Caruncho Gym in Pasig.