THE Philippine Basketball Association fined fiery Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao P22,000 for yelling unfavorable statements at the referees after he got ejected late in the third quarter of the Painters’ 117-114 win over Alaska last Saturday.
While walking out of the court after getting thrown out for his second technical foul of the contest, Guiao yelled at the game officials: “Wala ng nanonood sa atin, ref!”
The P20,000 of his total fine came from his thorough criticism of the officiating, while the additional P2,000 was for his first technical foul in the second quarter, wherein he instantly entered the court to protest a call.
Guiao wasn’t the only member of Rain or Shine who got sanctioned.
Big man Beau Belga was also reprimanded and slapped a P5,000 penalty for a flagrant foul he committed against Alaska star Calvin Abueva.
“It’s not only me but there are already a lot who doesn’t understand what a foul is and what’s not,” Guiao said. “It’s about the confusion of not knowing what a foul is.”
Meanwhile, former league-leader Mahindra attempts to get back to its winning ways after getting halted the last time out as it resumes its campaign in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Govenors’ Cup.
Still good for second place, the surprising Enforcers (4-1) aim to keep their spot in the standings when they face NLEX (2-3) at 4:15 p.m. in the opening game of a double-header at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.
At the tail-end of the twin-bill, struggling teams Meralco (3-3) and Blackwater (1-4) meet at 7 p.m.
After suffering its first setback of the tournament, Mahindra is now looking to test its resiliency as it will face a new challenge in the Road Warriors.
Following their 4-0 start that no one saw coming, the Enforcers tasted a tough 94-100 setback against Phoenix Fuel last Friday wherein they blew a 20-point lead.
Ironically, NLEX, though it is the one having a sub-par run this conference so far, will be the one coming off a victory heading to its clash against Mahindra.
The Road Warriors, on the same night the Enforcers lost, finally got the breakthrough they needed as they grinded out a hard-fought 88-85 win over hapless Star.
NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez hopes that this can be a start of something better for his Road Warriors as they’ve been inconsistent all season long.
“I appreciated my players in our last game. They played hard and came back after three straight losses. I’m hoping we can sustain our improvement,” he said.
Having a rollercoaster campaign thus far, the Bolts suffered yet another heartbreaking setback in their last outing.
Despite a 55-point outburst from import Allen Durham, Meralco still bowed down to erstwhile winless GlobalPort, 126-123, in double overtime in a game where the Bolts scored six points in a span of 13 seconds in regulation to force the first extension.
The Elite is also having serious problems of its own as it will head tonight carrying a three-game losing streak.
Blackwater is in dire need of a win considering it is currently in a four-way tie at the bottom with other ailing teams Alaska, Star and the Batang Pier.
Guarding Durham will certainly be one focus of Blackwater coach Leo Isaac as after the Meralco import scored the most points of any player in the league this season.
Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum):
4:15 p.m. – NLEX vs. Mahindra
7 p.m. – Meralco vs. Blackwater