PBA fines Ivan Johnson P150,000 for bump on Guiao

MANILA, Philippines – The PBA Office of the Commissioner has fined Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters import Ivan Johnson P150,000 for his bump on Rain or Shine Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao during the third quarter of game 1 of the Commissioner’s Cup finals, the league announced on Thursday, April 16.

While trooping back to his team’s side of the Mall of Asia Arena at the 3:36 mark of the third period, Johnson got into physical contact with Guiao while running by the sideline of the Rain or Shine bench, who right away helped their head coach get up.

And the commotion is on. Johnson bumps into coach Yeng Guiao in a play #PBAFinals #Rstream pic.twitter.com/WctpZnGRUa

— Jane Bracher (@janebracher) April 15, 2015

Johnson, who later apologized for the incident, then exchanged words with Guiao and members of the Elasto Painters bench.

“We find that Johnson failed to exercise due care to prevent the contact on Coach Guiao. Johnson, who was not in pursuit of the ball or involved in any spontaneous action at or near the premises of the Rain or Shine bench, could have avoided running into Coach Guiao with the exercise of ordinary care and caution,” the PBA said in their statement.

“The contact was clearly unprovoked and avoidable. Upon repeated review, we find no merit in Johnson’s assertion that it was accidental and not intentional.”

The PBA also warned Johnson that any similar incidents in the future would warrant a more grievous punishment.

“Johnson is thus fined the amount of ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P 150,000.00) for his unsportsmanlike conduct. Any act on his part in the future that is construed to be unsportsmanlike in nature or disrespectful of the league and its officials will merit a more severe penalty.”

Johnson scored 23 points to help lead the Tropang Texters to a 99-92 game 1 win. After the contest, the outspoken Guiao had strong words on the import.

“Well he did it on purpose. The video showed he can easily avoid me and it was on my blind side,” Guiao said.

“He did it on purpose. I can spit in his face and apologize later on, but I still did it on purpose,” he said. “It’s a reflection of his personality. It’s a reflection of how he was brought up, of his education.”

Game 2 is on Friday, April 17, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. – Rappler.com