MANILA, Philippines – PBA players, all from the Manny V. Pangilinan-owned teams, weighed in on Tropang TNT import Ivan Johnson getting banned from the PBA on Saturday, February 13, in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Johnson, 31, was slapped a lifetime ban from the league on top of a P250,000-fine after cursing at commissioner Chito Narvasa towards the end of the first half of TNT’s game against the Meralco Bolts.
Players from TNT, NLEX and Meralco – and even former TNT big man Ali Peek – tweeted their surprise and pointed out the lack of due process in the PBA’s decision to ban Johnson.
TNT likewise rued the lack of due process and quick judgment. TNT assistant coach Josh Reyes also took to Twitter to question a possible “impulse decision” on the part of the PBA.
It took one hour and 13 minutes from the time Johnson was ejected from the game – due to two technical fouls plus a flagrant foul penalty 1 – to the time the PBA officially announced his ban in the game’s fourth quarter. (READ: Banned TNT import Johnson: ‘The devil is working overtime’)
Johnson, who immediately left the venue at halftime, gained notoriety last season for his antics during the previous Commissioner’s Cup. (LOOK BACK: Johnson, Araña get into altercation near arena parking lot)
The former Atlanta Hawk was also banned from the Korean Basketball League in 2010 for raising the dirty finger to a referee. (LOOK BACK: PBA fines Ivan Johnson P150,000 for bump on Yeng Guiao)
The last import to be banned from the league was Renaldo Balkman, for choking Arwind Santos in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup. (READ: Guiao on banned Johnson: ‘He’s a world-class a*shole’)
Check out the tweets below.
Damn Balkman didn't even get a life time ban that fast… Made a decision before the game was even over????
— Matt Ganuelas-Rosser (@Real_Mateo) February 13, 2016
No comment on the Comm's decision. Y'all saw it. People that know know. Smh
— Kelly Williams (@KelWilliams21) February 13, 2016
How long was it before Balkman was banned after "the incident"? That was many levels worse right?
— Rob Reyes (@theREALrob22) February 13, 2016
That's crazy. Ivan Johnson gets banned, that fast.
— Jared Dillinger (@JDHawaii20) February 13, 2016
I guess the commissioner doesn't mess around!!
— ali peek (@mtnpeek) February 13, 2016
Due process? Impulse decision?
— Josh Reyes (@josh_reyes) February 13, 2016
Danny Seigle also called for due process on Instagram.
– Rappler.com
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