THE Philippine Basketball Association maintained TNT coach Chot Reyes is aware of the number of technical fouls he has accumulated prior to his suspension in Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.
Commissioner Wille Marcial said Reyes was duly notified that he’s already bordering on having the maximum technical fouls allowed in a conference through a league memo.
That has been a practice, according to Marcial, whenever a coach or a player has already been called for his fourth T – or one less short of earning outright suspension.
“Si Chot sinulatan namin, siguro nakuha niya July 1st,” said the commissioner.
READ: Josh Reyes says TNT has no excuses in Game 5 loss to RoS
Reyes, 61, was assessed his fourth technical for the conference during Game 4 (June 29) of TNT’s semifinals series against Rain or Shine when he was heard admonishing shooting guard Kim Aurin while going back to the team bench for missing out on a defensive play.
He eventually incurred a fifth one early in the first quarter of the next game for a resentment to a call.
“Sinulatan namin siya (Reyes), pero ganun pa rin ang nangyari,” said Marcial.
SPIN.ph learned from sources that the Tropang 5G, including team governor and Board Chairman Ricky Vargas, had been told about the impending suspension shortly upon the 108-92 win at the Mall of Asia Arena that gave TNT a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Vargas talked to the entire team when Reyes’ suspension became formal.
“Alam nila (TNT) yun. Sinasabihan namin lahat yan,” Marcial confirmed.
Reyes became the latest casualty of the PBA ruling that previously affected Rain or Shine’s Beau Belga and Jericho Cruz of San Miguel.
The case involving Cruz was even worse as it came during the course of the Commissioner’s Cup finals between San Miguel and Magnolia last year.
“Kapag naka-tatlong technical ka, verbal naming sinasabihan sila,” said Marcial. “Kapag pang apat na yun, susulatan ka na namin.”
The commissioner even recalled a previous incident in the past when Reyes mellowed down the moment he was on four technical fouls.
“Si Chot may nangyari na pang apat na (technical) siya, nag-tame down siya,” said Marcial.
“May mga coaches na ganun na kapag alam nilang apat na sila, mag-pipigil na yun.”
Marcial also mentioned Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, arguably the coach in PBA history that has been the recipient of the most number of technical fouls.
As of latest count, Guiao has only two T’s under his belt, which he incurred during the Elasto Painters’ series opener against the Tropang 5G when he was ejected out of the game.
“Ang ginawa ni coach Yeng, nagpigil siya nung eliminations hanggang quarterfinals. Walang technical yan. Warning-warning lang,” said Marcial. “Kaya pagdating ng semis, doon pa lang siya natawagan.”
Reyes served out his suspension on Friday night, which saw TNT lost by a blowout, 113-97.
But he’s expected to be back for Game 6 on Sunday when the Tropang 5G tries to close the series out again.
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