Guiao, Belga fined P20k for altercation in PBA semis Game 1

MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao and center Beau Belga were each fined P20,000 for separate offenses committed in the third quarter of their 2016 PBA Philippine Cup semifinal opener against San Miguel Beer, on Tuesday, January 5. (READ: San Miguel steals PBA semis Game 1 from Rain or Shine)

Guiao was whistled for a technical foul for contacting San Miguel guard Chris Ross during a throw-in situation with 9:45 left in the third quarter of Game 1 of the best-of-7 semis series. Belga was also assessed a technical for forcefully shoving Ross during that incident, as he came to the defense of his coach. (READ: PBA coach Yeng Guiao and those sideline bumps)

The fine imposed was for violation of league rules prohibiting a player seated on the bench from leaving when a commotion is taking place. 

In his letter to Guiao, PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa told the Rain or Shine coach that the Commissioner’s Office finds Guiao’s action unsportsmanlike.

“The act of physically contacting an opponent is considered under the rules as grave unsportsmanlike gesture that should have merited an ejection,” the letter said. 

The Commissioner’s Office also slapped Jericho Cruz and Raymond Almazan of Rain or Shine, and San Miguel’s Yancy de Ocampo and Ross a total of P5,800 in fines for drawing technical fouls for various reasons.

San Miguel emerged victorious over Rain or Shine, 109-105, in Game 1 after rallying from 20 points down. 

Game 2 of this series is on Thursday, January 7 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. (SCHEDULE: 2016 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals) – Rappler.com