Erring cagers face suspension; Reavis returns

Alaska’s Don Allado and Red Bull’s Celino Cruz are likely to draw suspension and fine for their involvement in a melee that marred their game in the San Mig Coffee PBA Fiesta Cup at the Astrodome Wednesday night.

PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial said the flagrant fouls drawn by the two players mean automatic ejection from the game and at least a game suspension.

In another development, Rafi Reavis regained his slot in the Coca-Cola squad after being signed to a new contract yesterday.

Reavis got a new pact with Coca-Cola a few days after being reinstated from suspension on the strength of a new PBA board policy with regards to Fil-foreign players.

The PBA was notified through a fax message of Reavis’ case yesterday afternoon although details of his new playing contract have yet to be submitted to the league.

Marcial said commissioner Noli Eala, who met Allado and Cruz yesterday, will likely make the decision this morning after reviewing the game tape.

"For sure, there will be suspension and fine. The only question now is how long would be the suspension and how much the fine," said Marcial.

The two players figured in the incident that broke out after Allado attacked Mick Pennisi and hit Enrico Villanueva on the face when the former Ateneo stalwart tried to stop him . Cruz later sent Allado crashing to the floor when the 5-foot-8 guard attacked the 6-foot-6 slotman from nowhere.

Expecting to miss Allado in their crucial game with Talk n Text Sunday, Alaska coach Tim Cone said: "Don would be a big loss but we would make do with what we have."

If given a one-game suspension, Cruz, meanwhile, will miss their game against the Coca-Cola Tigers tomorrow in Tacloban, Leyte.

The commotion started when Allado lost his cool after hitting the floor following a foul by Pennisi.

Pennisi only incurred a flagrant foul violation on the incident and was able to finish the game wo n by the Alaska Aces, 81-64.

Meanwhile, Talk n Text seeks to firm up its hold of the lead as the Phone Pals play the Air21 Express today at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

With their four-game streak halted by the Barangay Ginebra Kings on Oct. 26, the Phone Pals got back on track with a 96-82 win over the Purefoods Chunkee Giants last Sunday.

The Giants seek to bounce back from that loss as they battle the Sta. Lucia Realtors in today’s other game.

Purefoods is running seconds behind Talk n Text with a 5-2 win-loss card while Air21 is at sixth with a 2-4 record, followed by Sta. Lucia at 2-5.

Curiously, the Realtors have lost their last five games after sending home Luke Whitehead with whom they won two of three games.

The 6-foot-8 forward-center rejoins the Tigers tomorrow as they play the Red Bull Barakos in a road game in Tacloban City.

Reavis will be back after a long suspension that started last May 6 after the PBA board enforced new requirements for foreign-born players.

Coca-Cola guard Dale Singson, meanwhile, was reactivated from the injured list.

Gilbert Lao was relegated to the reserve list while Ato Morano has become unrestricted free agent on the reactivation of Reavis and Singson.

Remaining uncertain is whether Rudy Hatfield would return to rejoin the Tigers.

"Naputol ang communication dahil sa long holidays," said Coca-Cola coach Binky Favis.