Eala denies appeal on Penny suspension

Red Bull import James Penny will miss the team’s first crack at wrapping up their San Mig Coffee PBA Fiesta Cup Final Four series with Barangay Ginebra tomorrow as he serves an automatic one game suspension on his ejection on technical fouls in Game Four Sunday.

Red Bull officials appealed Penny’s suspension but league commissioner Noli Eala turned it down after a review of the game tape and upon the recommendation of technical chief Perry Martinez.

Thus, the Bulls will be severely handicapped when they take the first of three chances they have to close out their best-of-seven semis showdown with the Kings.

Despite the ejection of Penny with over five minutes left to play, the Bulls whipped the Kings, 88-85, to gain a commanding three-games-to-one lead in the series.

"After a review of the tape, we found the technical fouls called on proper exercise of judgment of the referees. And based on existing rules, the ejection merits automatic one-game suspension. I don’t see compelling reason to disturb the rules," said Eala.

Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao made an appeal in behalf of the team, saying Penny’s ejection was caused by two questionable technical fouls called by the referees.

"Hilaw yung technical fouls na itinawag kay Penny. First, he was just going to block a shot by (Mark Caguioa). It was a legitimate intent to block and there’s no malicious attempt to harm, tinawagan ng second motion," said Guiao.

"Yung pangalawa, pinasukan daw ng paa ni Penny si Caguioa. When we reviewed the tape, kitang-kita yung paa ni Penny extended just on the side of Caguioa," Guiao added.

But even in the absence of Penny, Guiao said they will try to go for the kill Wednesday.

"Mahirap pero may tsamba kahit suntok sa buwan," said Guiao.

Meanwhile, Eala said they can now put on the board agenda Welcoat’s intention to take over the Shell franchise after Welcoat officials formally explained their position to the board in a luncheon meeting yesterday.

"Right now, the board has been appraised of Welcoat’s position as well as its intention to join the league.

"It was the first step to move their applications forward," said Eala.