SAN Miguel will not be fined for playing without an import in Game Three of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup against Rain or Shine, an official explained on Wednesday.
The Beermen were forced to play without a reinforcement after management decided to kick out Tyler Wilkerson following his confrontation with coaches and officials after a Game Two loss on Tuesday.
Under league rules, a team will only be penalized on the third straight game it plays without an reinforcement in an import-laden conference, said PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial.
In this case, the Beermen will only be fined if the best-of-five series goes the full route and the team still has no import.
“On the third game, pag wala pa silang import, dun pa lang sila mapa-fine,” said league media bureau chief Willie Marcial.
An initial fine of P50,000 will be imposed and the penalty increases correspondingly.
Team manager Gee Abanilla said the franchise is definitely on the lookout for a replacement for Wilkerson.
“Of course, baka ma-fine tayo nun,” he said, adding he’s not yet aware if the team will be bringing in former Best Import AZ Reid, who steered the Beermen to the Governors Cup championship last year.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
