Guiao calls out Hodge, strikes against excessive physicality

MANILA, Philippines – “Is this what the PBA wants?”

Rain or Shine’s ever-fiery mentor Yeng Guiao was visibly frustrated, angered, and infuriated about what he sees as “excessive physicality” in their quarterfinals duel with the Meralco Bolts. Still, he tried his best to remain calm and avoided shouting cuss words that could make him thousands of pesos poorer.

This aggression, which may be the result of the officiating crew’s philosophy to allow physicality, finally drew Guiao’s attention. And he is mad. Really mad.

“Physicality has a place in the league, but punching a player – which (Cliff) Hodge did – is something way out of the rules,” said Guiao, who vented his ire at the post-game press conference.

“Hodge has been hurting a lot of players. He is just there to hurt players.”

Guiao was dead serious after the final buzzer, flashed a tiger look on his face, and almost went after Bolts forward Cliff Hodge for striking Raymond Almazan with less than a minute left in the game. Fortunately there were people in between to barricade before the two could get at one another.

Just outside the dugout area, Guiao had to be restrained by PBA Commissioner Atty. Chito Salud himself to prevent further damage.

“It is a very physical game but there are things that just got out of control.”

People wonder: is there a bit of irony Guiao is the one complaining about physicality?

The Elasto Painters are built tough. Everyone knows they play physical (ask Beau Belga). Guiao said they will be the last to complain about it, but on Wednesday, he mentioned what he saw from the other side was way beyond the borderline.

Game 2 of the Rain or Shine-Meralco showdown drew 60 fouls in total, and there could have been more fouls slapped with all the pushing, shoving, and hurting that took place all game long.

Both Guiao and Meralco head coach Ryan Gregorio were slapped with technicals, warnings had been issued throughout the game, and bodies kept slamming on to the Araneta Coliseum hardwood.

Just imagine what else could happen next.

Trillo disappointed too

Guiao isn’t the only head coach who is upset with the lax attitude towards calling fouls for overly-aggressive play.

The entire playoffs series has been the same for Alaska and San Mig Coffee who played earlier, which also drew frustration from the Alaska camp.

Alaska Aces head coach Luigi Trillo voiced his opinion over the referee’s decision making in their Game 2 loss to San Mig Coffee earlier in the night. He believes that a powder keg is building up in their quarterfinals series, which could result in technical fouls, ejections, and fines should tensions continue to build.

“Were playing the same way. They’re physical, we’re physical. We are getting less yet both teams have both game plans,” said Trillo, demanding an explanation.

“We settled for threes because we were checked (inside).”

He added he couldn’t believe the Mixers got a heap full of free throw attempts, while they got a pile of fouls.

“You guys see the stats. We had 31 fouls, they had 19. They had 35 free throws, we had only 10.”

Wake-up call

Guiao warned his highly-physical group can do worse stuff if the trend continues.

“What physicality are we looking for in the league? We can give you even worse as long as you’ll allow,” said the Pampanga Representative.

“We don’t know what is a foul and what is not a foul. How can the public know what is a foul and what is not?”

Will the league respond to Guiao’s points or just stay mum and just re-introduce the age-old adage “It’s all part of the game?”

Let the people expect war first for Game 3 this Saturday.

– Rappler.com