Eala cracks whip on erring stars

CEBU — To prove that it means business here, the PBA Commissioner’s Office didn’t let pass even minor shortcomings by the players in the ongoing 2004 PBA All-Star Week.

Commissioner Noli Eala has cracked the whip on 18 players thus far, imposing fines totaling P14,500.

Most of the infractions were no-shows in official PBA activies with Ginebra’s Mark Caguio No. 1 with the most number of violations with three. He was fined P500 in the first offense, P1,000 in the second and P1,500 in the third. "Actually, pinagsabihan na ng governor (Arnaldo Africa) ng Ginebra. Pero hindi pa rin sumisipot sa mga activities," said a PBA insider.

Ginebra team manager Allan Caidic, who arrived here yesterday noon, said he’d been advised of Caguioa’s non-cooperation and intended to talk to his player. "Pagsasabihan ko," said Caidic, who ironically, was much more cooperative, gamely accepting the invitation to join the Legends Three-point Challenge despite his long retirement from the game.

Others players with infractions were Asi Taulava, Davonn Harp and Mick Pennisi. The three drew total fines of P1,500 each.

No-shows for one activity were Cyrus Baguio, Paolo Mendoza, Kenneth Duremdes, Eric Menk, Rich Alvarez, Romel Adducul, Reynel Hugnatan, Felix Belano, Joey Mente, Gary David, Topex Robinson, June Peter Simon, Don Allado and Ali Peek. Each one was fined P500. — Nelson Beltran