PBA fines Guiao, Chua; Velez barred

Coaches Yeng Guiao of Red Bull and Alfrancis Chua of Sta. Lucia were fined while Red Bull reserve player Erwin Velez was fined and disallowed to enter the playing venue in their next two games in the aftermath of two recent incidents where PBA officiating was bashed in the media.

Guiao was slapped two separate fines — one for hitting the officiating in an interview with the press and the other for his on-court outburst that saw him slapping referee Throngy Aldava’s hand resulting in his outright ejection in the Red Bull-San Miguel duel last Wednesday.

PBA commissioner Noli Eala said Guiao was heavily fined for his physical contact on the referee. The league commissioner refused to divulge the amount but it was believed to be no less than P50,000 with the other fine amounting to be around P20,000.

Chua was fined for his own attack on officiating in the media after the Sta. Lucia-Ginebra knockout game last week.

Velez, meanwhile, incurred his own penalty after belligerently approaching the referees, then cursing them after Guiao was thrown out in the Red Bull-San Miguel tussle.

Because of the new PBA policy, the league commissioner also refused to divulge the amount of fines slapped on Chua and Velez.

"I think there is no amount of protestation, frustration or disgust to the officiating that will justify the use of unnecessary and excessive physical contact on the referee and this is clearly violative of the PBA rules. On this matter, the PBA is imposing a heavy fine on coach Yeng Guiao," said Eala.

"In the issue of statements to the press, we reiterated our appeal that all comments and complaints should be directed to the proper channels. We are more than willing to listen. In fact we agree that there is a need to improve even further the officiating. To use the media as a venue in airing grievances is not allowed by the PBA policy," he added. — Nelson Beltran