EVEN for just a minimal amount, the PBA decided to reduce the fines meted on four players including San Miguel Beer’s Ronald Tubid and Kelly Nabong for taking part in the league’s Homecourt outreach project on Thursday.
Tubid and Nabong joined James Sena and rookie Abu Tratter in accompanying Commissioner Willie Marcial and his staff as they made the rounds visiting three different barangays in Sampaloc, Manila.
All four gamely engaged surprised basketball fans in Barangays 424 (Zone 43), 420 (Zone 43), and 435 (Zone 44) in 3-on-3 games and free throw shooting that had been a regular staple of the program initiated by Marcial last season.
As a gesture of goodwill, Marcial agreed to downgrade the fines he meted on the quartet due to different infractions.
“Maliit lang naman yung binawas. Part naman ng plano natin yun before for players to join the PBA’s community service lalo na kung may mga violations silang ginawa,” said Marcial.
Of the four, Tubid and Nabong were fined the most, a total of P75,000 each – on top of a three-game suspension – for their respective roles during the ‘Spiderman’ incident that marred Game 5 of the Philippine Cup finals.
Sena meanwhile, was penalized P20,000 (and a one-game suspension) for the landing spot foul he committed (classified as a flagrant foul penalty 2 category) against Barangay Ginebra forward Jeff Chan. The 36-year-old wingman suffered a severe sprain and has been out of the Kings’ roster until now.
Tratter on the other hand, was called for excessive flopping in Blackwater’s last game against TnT Katropa.
As a bonus, the four enjoyed the experience especially the chance to reach out to PBA fans.
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