Aquino gets P20,000 fine for outburst

MANILA, Philippines – PBA commissioner Renauld “Sonny” Barrios said yesterday he believed Marlou Aquino did not physically harm the fan he confronted Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Still, the commissioner fined the Sta. Lucia Realty center P20,000 for his “emotional outburst” that took place shortly after the Realtors lost to the Burger King Whoppers in Game 2 of their Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference quarterfinal series.

Barrios met with Aquino yesterday afternoon to hear his side on the incident wherein a fan was reportedly hurt.

Aquino was accompanied by team manager Ariel Magno.

“From my end, I have concluded there was no physical contact from Marlou. But with his confrontation a melee broke out wherein a fan received blows from Sta. Lucia supporters,” said Barrios.

The commissioner also told Aquino to keep his emotions in check even in the most trying of times, especially in relation to acts against paying fans – the lifeblood of the league.

At the same time, Barrios also issued a plea to PBA fans to avoid making unsavory remarks to players and game officials, whose family could be around watching the games.