Rain or Shine coach Guiao fined for remarks on officiating

MANILA, Philippines – The PBA handed down more sanctions Tuesday, January 12 with Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao hit hardest, as he was fined P20,000 for his comments on officiating following Game 4 of the 2016 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals, according to the official PBA website.

Guiao was specifically fined that amount “for issuing statements detrimental to the league.” But he also incurred a P10,000 fine “for using dirty finger” and P5,000 “for leaving the bench during an altercation,” totaling P35,000.

Guiao expressed discontent with the officiating once again following the Painters’ 105-92 defeat, saying there was no way his team could have won and that the officiating was “getting worse.” 

“We did not get the breaks from the refs. Paul (Lee) fouled out in this game but there were at least two fouls that were not supposed to be fouls. One is the blocking foul on (Gabby) Espinas and the other one is on (Chris) Ross. It’s just so disappointing,” Guiao strained to say Monday night, January 11, after the series became tied at 2-2.  

He nearly lost his voice from shouting along the sidelines but that did not stop him from speaking out. 

“Beau Belga was pushed and he was the one called for a foul. I don’t understand that. We cannot play physical but they can play physical on us. They already have the size advantage and they also have the advantage with those calls I said. So we really did not have a chance in this ballgame,” he said.

“Wala kaming pag-asa talaga, lalo kung ganoon ang tawagan (We have no chance at all, if that’s the way they’ll call it). And it’s getting worse.”

Guiao, a 6-time PBA champion, also sounded off on the state of officiating in the series after Game 3, saying referees “take care of (June Mar) Fajardo too much.”

He said he has yet to approach league commissioner Chito Narvasa to air his concerns and seek clarification – especially with his confusion over what does or does not merit a foul call – because he “was just hoping it would get better. But apparently it did not.”

Despite a very raspy voice, Guiao remained firm in his resolve for the PBA to promote consistency in officiating.

“I do not recommend that (returning to old rules) but I recommend consistency with the calls,” he said, reiterating his longtime stand over the issue.”

Other fines metted out were on Rain or Shine assistant team manager Jay Legacio (P5,000 for leaving the bench during an altercation), assistant coach Mike Buendia (P5,000 for leaving the bench during an altercation), Jewel Ponferada (P5,000 for a flagrant foul penalty 1), and Paul Lee (P1,000 for his first technical foul this conference). 

San Miguel’s Arwind Santos was also fined P5,000 for his flagrant foul penalty 1. 

Guiao was previously fined P20,000 “for physically contacting Chris Ross” in Game 1 of this semifinals series. – Rappler.com