CHICAGO - After a crushing Game Two defeat at the hands of Ginebra last Sunday, the Mall of Asia Arena dugout assigned to TNT appeared to bear the brunt of the Tropang Giga's frustrations.
In the wake of that 71-70 cliffhanger, a harmless, defenseless wall lies shattered inside one of the locker rooms of the sprawling complex that seated a record crowd of 23,616 during the 2016 PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
Naturally, the MOA management wants the culprit to pay for the repairs and will bill the league office for the estimated cost.
READ TNT to make culprit pay for bill on MOA Arena dugout damage
But who exactly had the temerity to assault a stationary and risk a potential serious hand injury?
TNT knows, but the team chose not to reveal the culprit's identity
Well, I don't know who the Mike Tyson wannabe is, but I have an idea who it's not.
POY ERRAM.
Really?
The 6-foot-8, 237-pound center was an easy suspect to the whodunnit: He went to the locker room stewing after being called for a foul on Justin Brownlee and he tends to have a quick temper that can simmer like a 100-degree fever.
"Di ako sure but parang hindi siguro si Poy," one player, who requested anonymity, told me via text message. The tipster said it wasn't a punch that disfigured the wall and said someone may have leaned hard on it while sitting down.
"Walang nakakaalam," chimed another player, adding that "hindi na napag-usapan 'yun after the game."
Now up 2-1 in the best-of-seven Commissioner's Cup Finals, TNT should just pay for the collateral damage and charge the fees to experience.
IS JUSTIN IN OR OUT?
Ginebra import Justin Brownlee is listed as doubtful for Friday night's Game Four after suffering a dislocated thumb in Game Three.
I won't be surprised if the six-time PBA champion and three-time Best Import awardee will soldier through the pain and suit up on Friday night.
If he does, he will be significantly diminished given that the injury is on his shooting hand.
League rules allow a replacement but even if the Gin Kings can tap a quality reinforcement in such short notice, there's simply no time for that newcomer to gel with his teammates and learn coach Tim Cone's system.
Brownlee is averaging 27.3 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in this title series.
He is irreplaceable. If he's compromised or, God forbid, can't play at all, the Gin Kings are cooked.
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