Espinas fined P20k, escapes suspension

MANILA, Philippines – Alaska big man Gabby Espinas escaped suspension but was meted with a heavy fine for his flagrant foul on the Meralco Bolts' Cliff Hodge during their knockout game in the PBA All-Filipino Cup last Monday.

Espinas was initially assessed with a Flagrant Foul Penalty 1, which required him to sit out for three minutes during their highly-physical game.

But upon review by PBA Commissioner Chito Salud, the violation was upgraded to Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 amounting to Php20,000.

Video from InterAKTV's YouTube channel

"The Flagrant Foul 1 called on Gabby Espinas is hereby upgraded to Flagrant Foul 2 for its viciousness and perceptible intent to play the man and not the ball," Salud said in a statement released to media on Thursday.

No further penalty was levied on Espinas, who fell on Hodge with his two elbows during a rebound scramble.

With no suspension meted out, Espinas can still suit up on Saturday when Alaska plays its fourth straight do-or-die game against top seed Brgy. Ginebra.