PBA Commissioner Chito Salud has summoned Meralco's Jared Dillinger and Gary David as well as Alaska forward Calvin Abueva for their roles in the skirmish that marred the Meralco-Alaska game last Friday.
After a video review of the incident with his technical team, Salud has asked the three players to appear before him and air their sides on the scuffle that saw Dillinger and Abueva tangle while going over the baseline railing in the fourth quarter of the Bolts' 74-65 win over the Aces.
David was also summoned by the commissioner after the review showed he raised his arm and appear to aim a punch at Abueva during the commotion.
David was asked to join Dillinger in the 11 a.m. meeting with Salud on Tuesday. Abueva will meet Salud at around 1 p.m.
“Ipinatawag na, kasi na-review na ng maigi ni commissioner 'yung video. So they will be given a chance para madinig yung side nila at explanation nila,” said Willie Marcial, PBA’s media bureau chief.
“Makakaasa sila ng fair process sa pag-review nung kaso,” Marcial assured.
Asked if sanctions are on the way for the three players, Marcial said: “Basta, hihintayin muna at pakikinggan muna ni commissioner 'yung side nila. Pati yung isyu na sinakal ba o hindi ni Jared si Calvin, itatanong at sisiyasatin ni Kume yun.”
Marcial, however, made it clear that it is unfair to compare the Dillinger-Abueva scuffle to the case of former Petron import Renaldo Balkman, who was banned for life by the league last season after he run amok and choked his teammate Arwind Santos during a game.
“Iba yung kaso. Hindi mo pwedeng i-compare kay Balkman si Jared. Kasi unang una, kakampi ni Balkman ang sinakal niya. Pangalawa, kitang kitang sinakal talaga, tapos pangatlo nag wala siya,” Marcial said.
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