THE PBA on Friday issued a total fine of P170,000 for the brawl that marred the San Mig Coffee-Globalport Governors’ Cup match earlier in the week, with Marc Pingris and Kelly Nabong both suspended for two games each.
San Mig star forward Pingris and Globalport rookie Nabong were each fined P60,000 for trading blows in Wednesday's game won by the Mixers, 102-88.
San Mig forward Joe Devance, meanwhile, was suspended for a game and fined P30,000 for “triggering the commotion that led to the fight between Kelly Nabong and Marc Pingris.”
Globalport's Marvin Hayes was fined P20,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct, equivalent to a flagrant foul penalty 2.
“Fighting will not be condoned by the league. There is absolutely no justification for our players to get involved in fistfights,” said league commissioner Chito Salud in a statement.
"With this, it should be clear to everyone that instigators, hotheads, and troublemakers have no place in the PBA and will be dealt with severely."
On Thursday, Devance admitted it was him who triggered the bench-clearing incident.
“It was a good meeting (with Commissioner Chito Salud). I said my side. I know I’m still at a fault on that because I made it a bigger situation rather than what could have been,” said Devance.
Pingris also took responsibility for his action and asked forgiveness from the public after a meeting with the league commissioner on Thursday.
“Kailangan mo talagang i-control ang emotions mo pero wala, nangyari na eh. Gusto ko lang naman protektahan ang teammates ko. Ang dami kasi nagkakainitan kanina eh di lang nakikita ng mga refs,” said the national team member.
“Sa palagay ko karapat-dapat sa akin yun (suspension and fine). Basta kung mali ka tanggapin mo, di `yung papatawarin ka lang bigla nang walang fine. Dun ka matututo kung may pagkakamali. Di lang suspension yan, may fine din yan,” he added.
Salud added, "Finally, I want to remind our players that long after sanctions have been served, your overall conduct's impression on your youth will continue to last. Our players' responsibility of role modelling, particularly to our youth, is sacrosanct in the PBA."
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