Ginebra plays depleted SMB

MANILA, Philippines – Danny Ildefonso and Marc Pingris were both meted a one-game suspension for attacking a fan in an ugly post-game incident Friday, leaving San Miguel short-handed in Game Three of their best-of-seven showdown with Barangay Ginebra for the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference championship at the Araneta Coliseum today.

Ildefonso and Pingris were also assessed fines of P30,000 and P10,000, respectively, for their grave misconduct condemned by the San Miguel team management itself.

In a statement, the San Miguel Beer team management said it “expressed regret over the incident and stressed it will never tolerate such kind of behavior, especially towards the fans who are the lifeblood of the PBA.”

During their conference with commissioner Sonny Barrios at the PBA office, Ildefonso and Pingris were profuse in apologizing to the PBA, to the viewers and the fans. The two also wanted to personally apologize to the fan.

Ildefonso and Pingris serve their suspension today when the Beermen and the Kings dispute the 2-1 lead after splitting the first two games in the series.

The Kings drew first blood, 102-96, Wednesday then the Beermen got even, 95-78, Friday.

“It’s not as lopsided as the final count suggests. But I think we did come out more prepared in Game Two,” said San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen.

Beaten on defense and on rebounds in the series opener, the Beermen turned things around Friday. But defense and rebounding would be major concerns of SMB once again with Ildefonso and Pingris out in Game Three.

The two accounted for nine rebounds in Game Two.

Minus the two, Tanquingcen will only have Gabe Freeman, Jay Washington, Dorian Peña and Samigue Eman to rotate at the frountcourt.

Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, however, said San Miguel remains a formidable team with the players left on its roster.

“We have to grind. They’re still a potent team,” said Uichico, adding the key for them is to keep the game close.

“They’ll surely get their baskets. What we need to do is make it a little harder for them to shoot,” said Uichico.

Tanquingcen, meanwhile, said they have to keep their poise and composure every step of the way.

“It’s a given that the crowd will be for Ginebra. We have to keep our emotions in check whatever happens,” said Tanquingcen.

The game was over and the players were heading to the dugouts when Ildefonso blew his top on verbal abuses by a Ginebra fan identified as Ferdinand Nervadez, a 40-year-old businessman from Malabon.

“Actually, si Jay Washington ang minumura. Noong nagkatinginan kami, ako naman ang pinagmumura. Eh, tao lang, hindi ako nakapagpigil,” said Ildefonso.

The two-time MVP winner went after the heckler at the gallery, followed by Pingris. Good thing, the Araneta Coliseum security forces and team officials were able to stop the two players.

Ginebra assistant coach Art dela Cruz grabbed Ildefonso, stopping him from getting close to the fan.