DESPITE being in the news of late following his on-court altercation with controversial Alaska forward Calvin Abueva, Jared Dillinger said he has managed to ward off the distraction and concentrate on Meralco’s last two games in the PLDT myDSL-PBA Philippine Cup eliminations this week.
“I just told the guys to just focus on the game (on Wednesday against Rain or Shine) because all these stuff will die down and we just let (PBA) commissioner (Chito Salud) take care of this,” Dillinger said after his brief meeting with Salud on Tuesday at the league’s office in Libis, Quezon City.
They Said It!
“I’m just trying to focus on the game and not on (the fight with Alaska forward Calvin Abueva). We just need to get (the last two games) done." - Meralco Bolts guard Jared Dillinger
Dillinger was fined P10,000 by the league after the technical foul called on him was upgraded to flagrant/unsportsmanlike conduct for his act of physically restraining Abueva by grappling him by the neck along with the taunting and trash-talking.
The 6-foot-4 Dillinger said at 5-7, the Bolts have a huge chance of securing a better placing in the standings heading into the quarterfinals.
“I just want to suit up and help the team. We still have two games left and still a lot of leeway with what’s gonna happen for the placing of the quarterfinals,” explained the southpaw guard-forward.
“I’m just trying to focus on the game and not on this (issue with Abueva). We just need to get that (last two games) done.”
Dillinger was summoned, along with teammate Gary David and Abueva for their involvement in last Friday’s altercation that marred the game between the Bolts and the Aces which Meralco won, 74-65.
The well-built Dillinger, who sported a bloodied nose after being hit by Abueva’s arm, went after the Alaska forward shortly after, pinning the controversial sophomore at the baseline railing of the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
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