RAIN or Shine faces a huge bill for its Game Six gambit as PBA commissioner Chito Salud made it clear on Thursday he won't hesitate to throw the book at the Painters for their 'partial walkout' on Wednesday night.
According to media bureau chief Willie Marcial, the league board has approved provisions in its by-laws calling for a P2 million penalty for a 'partial walkout' and a P10 million fine for a full walkout.
The provisions, he said, were inserted into the league's by-laws in 2010 after Talk 'N Text's 'partial walkout' in Game Four of a quarterfinal match-up against Ginebra, for which the Texters were fined more than P1 million.
On the eve of his meeting with Rain or Shine officials in the wake of the team's walkout early in San Mig's title-clinching 93-87 win on Wednesday, Salud said he will apply the league's rules "accordingly."
"The rules on walkouts, partial or otherwise, are clear and we will enforce them accordingly," said the lawyer, who nonetheless praised the players for a well-played championship series.
Despite the walkout controversy, Salud said he doesn't want "one thing to get lost in all these - my respect and admiration for the players of both teams who gave it all for the game and the fans."
He continued: "I commend them. They are a credit to the sport and they did the PBA proud."
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