THE PBA has slapped a P20,000 fine on Rico Maierhofer for the “shoe-palpal” incident in the Barako Bull-San Miguel Beer Governors’ Cup match on Wednesday night.
The league considered the act of the Energy big man, who used his shoe to try to block SMB counterpart Gabby Espinas’ shot in the first half of the Beermen’s 116-113 win, to be in breach of the general conduct of games.
It merited a non-call, but the league said it can be classified as a technical foul for “using a foreign object as an aid in performing an offensive or defensive move.”
“More importantly, it is viewed by this Office as a blatant misconduct that disrespects/mocks the game and unprofessional nature,” Commissioner Chito Salud said in a statement.
Maierhofer has apologized for his action.
[See Maierhofer issues public apology, says 'shoe-palpal' a big mistake and bad example]
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
