IT was a short night for TnT import Glen Rice Jr after getting ejected late in the first quarter of Game Four of the PBA Governors Cup semifinals against Barangay Ginebra on Sunday night.
Rice was called for two technical fouls after shoving rookie Kevin Ferrer on the neck during a deadball situation before throwing the ball on the Ginebra player as he laid on the floor of the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The incident took place with 1:41 left in the first quarter and the Katropa leading, 35-23.
Rice only had two points, three rebounds, and five assists in 10 minutes of play prior to his ejection.
The Katropa played well in his absence and led by as many as 18 points, but couldn't sustain the momentum going home to lose, 115-105, paving the way for a title rematch between Ginebra and Meralco.
The TnT import obviously lost his cool following the incident that even his teammates had a hard time pacifying him. He was later even seen having some words with team alternate governor Patrick Gregorio.
The 26-year-old import was later escorted out of the playing court by team manager Virgil Villavicencio. On his way out, Rice shook hands with Ginebra veteran LA Tenorio, and then was seen exchanging words with Barangay Ginebra fans, who continuously taunted and jeered him.
Rice initially stayed inside the team dugout and watched the action on the tv monitor. By the second quarter, he already left the Big Dome accompanied by consultant Alton Lister.
“For security purposes,” said team manager Virgil Villavincencio on the team’s decision to send Rice home early.
Rice, according to Villavicencio, was undercut by Ferrer before the shoving incident, prompting the TnT import to lose his cool.
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