3 cagers under fire for flagrant fouls

MANILA, Philippines - Talk n Text’s Pamboy Raymundo and B-Meg’s Joe De Vance are expected to draw heavy fines for their flagrant fouls in Game Four that underscored the two teams’ desire to win it virtually at all costs.

Raymundo, De Vance and another B-Meg player Josh Urbiztondo were summoned before the PBA commissioner’s office today for their flagrant infractions committed Sunday.

Meanwhile, referee Art Herrera, through the PBA office, had issued an apology to B-Meg coach Tim Cone for the accidental bump that sent the latter down to the floor in front of their bench.

Talk n Text squared up the series at two games apiece following an emphatic 100-85 romp in Game Four marred by a melee sparked by Raymundo’s flagrant foul on Urbiztondo.

Cone was so upset of what had transpired that he walked out of the game with over a minute left to play.

The fiery B-Meg mentor later said that he left because he didn’t want to get into deeper trouble.

PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial said the same incident involving coach Chot Reyes took place before and the league just let it pass.

Raymundo, De Vance and Urbiztondo, however, aren’t expected to get away with their misconduct.

Raymundo, a Talk n Text reserve guard, could draw the severest sanction, having committed two flagrant infractions when the Texters were already wrapping up the lopsided win.

The former San Sebastian stalwart instigated everything when he planted an elbow on Uzbiztondo while fighting off a pick.

During dead ball, De Vance flicked the ball on Raymundo’s face, and the TnT third-string playmaker retaliated by hitting the B-Meg forward on the nape.

Raymundo thus committed a second flagrant foul, causing his ejection after having played just 14 seconds in the contest.

Raymundo carved a reputation as a player who never backs down from a fight even in his D-League days.

“He’s been talked to by commissioner Salud even when he’s still in the D-League. He’ll hear a lot more from the commissioner for sure,” said Marcial, also remembering a verbal tussle between coaches Yeng Guiao and Reyes during a pre-season tune-up game, a spat stemming from an incident also involving Raymundo.

On the Herrera-Cone collision, Marcial said the referee would have personally apologized but Cone was no longer on the court at the end of the game.

“First, the referee wasn’t aware of what happened to coach Tim since he was focused on the action on the floor,” said Marcial.

“When told of what happened during a dead ball, coach Tim had left the court,” Marcial added.

“I got stepped on, bumped and couldn’t control my balance. I was surprised he didn’t help me out and did not say anything,” said Cone after the game.

With emotions high and the series reduced to a best-of-three, the Texters and the Llamados are expected to figure in a more heated battle as they go for the pivotal win in Game Five also at the Big Dome tomorrow.