PBA commissioner Willie Marcial spoke to coaches and main players of Magnolia and TNT before Game 4 of the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup Finals at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Marcial personally sat down with the Hotshots and the Tropang GIGA in an effort to restore order and calm the tension after a Game 3 that saw several highly physical incidents as well as accusations of dirty play.
Marcial reminder
According to a report by Carlo Pamintuan from inside the Bacolor semi-bubble, Marcial made a reminder to the players and coaches that they have a responsibility not only to their teams but also to their fans to act responsibly.
Marcial also reminded the players, according to Pamintuan, that teams, despite the high stakes in the PBA finals, are expected to take care of each other.
The PBA commissioner also urged the teams to finish the conference on a high note.
Marcial entered the bubble after a Game 3 that saw Troy Rosario suffer a dislocated left pinkie due to a flagrant foul penalty one against Jackson Corpuz. The call was later upgraded to a flagrant foul penalty two and was fined P20,000.
Poy Erram also made an allegation on social media that someone from the Magnolia side spitted at him and hurting rival players on purpose.
TNT team owner Manny V. Pangilinan also tweeted to claim that the officiating of Game 3 was the "worst he has ever seen."
A ‘phantom foul’ slapped on Brian Heruela also marred Game Three. R eplays showed Heruela was nowhere near touching Paul Lee when he challenged the shot - and later called for a foul.
The referee has since been barred from officiating for the rest of the PBA finals series.
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