A COMMOTION between Converge assistant coach Danny Ildefonso and NorthPort governor Erick Arejola marred the end of the two teams' PBA 49th Season Governors' Cup match at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday.
The two were seen being pacified and separated by members of their respective teams after figuring in a spat during the traditional midcourt handshake following the FiberXers' 107-99 victory over the Batang Pier.
READ Danny Ildefonso fined P20K by PBA for 'farm team' comments
Ildefonso and Arejola declined to comment on the incident later, but the beef was obviously still related to Ildefonso's son Dave, who has yet to sign with NorthPort despite being picked fifth overall in the last rookie draft.
A witness added the commotion nearly spilled over into the hallway leading to the dugout area before security stepped in.
Ildefonso, a two-time league MVP, got into hot water last month when he answered nasty comments on social media pages from fans who were asking the PBA to ban his son Dave for not signing with the Batang Pier.
In so doing, the Converge deputy alluded to a 'farm team' involved in the contract impasse.
Summoned by PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, Ildefonso apologized for his social media outburst. He was fined P20,000 last August 27.
“Nag-usap kami, tinanong ko kung ano nangyari. Nadala lang siya sa emotion sa mga nakikita niyang post din ng mga netizen dahil sa anak niya ‘yun,” said Marcial later.
“Sabi ko sa kanya, ganyan talaga, kasama sa trabaho ‘yan. Mas madami nga sa akin eh. Kailangan talaga, relax-relax ka lang. Sabi niya, ‘Comm, pasensya at hindi na mauulit,” Marcial added.
WATCH:
Two days after the sanction, NorthPort defeated Converge, 135-109, with head coach Bonnie Tan admitting that Ildefonso’s comments fired up the team.
Converge, however, evened things up with NorthPort on Wednesday with a 107-99 win, with the skirmish occurring shortly after.
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