Salud summons Orton for post-game rant vs refs, Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines -- Purefoods Star Hotshots' import Daniel Orton is in 'hot water' following his post-game rant after absorbing a shocking 11-point loss to Kia Carnival, 94-85, last Wednesday night. 

PBA Commissioner Chito Salud has summoned the 6-9 import for his tirades against the referees and calling Kia playing-coach Manny Pacquiao a 'joke'. 

Orton, who was held down to woeful six points and three rebounds due to foul trouble, did not hide his frustrations after the forgettable loss. 

“Before the game, I was looking forward to it (matchup with PJ Ramos), because I’m a guy who likes to battle it at the post. They [referees] really took the game that I know and love and made it into a mockery tonight [Tuesday],” Orton told sports reporters after emerging from the locker room. 

“I’m worried about the loss? Yeah. You hate losing two in a row. I know for Purefoods fans, that’s (back-to-back losses) not acceptable to them so I’ll come back even harder and stronger on Sunday. I promise you that. But this game seriously has become a joke on the way the game was going, and the refs made it into a mockery," Orton added. 

The former NBA first rounder went on to call Pacquiao playing in the PBA as a 'joke'.

“That’s (Pacquiao playing) a joke, part of the joke I’m talking about. Professional boxer? Yeah. Congressman? Alright. But professional basketball player? Seriously? It’s a joke,” said the NBA veteran, who had stints with the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma Thunder. 

Orton will meet Salud on Friday at 1 pm as the Hotshots import braces for fines and sanctions for his comments detrimental to the league.