COACHES Pido Jarencio of Max! Bond Super Glue and Luigi Trillo of Cebuana Lhuillier and two players were each suspended for one game in the aftermath of a bench-clearing skirmish that spoiled the two teams’ duel in the Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League Foundation Cup on Thursday.
A total fine of P64,500 was also imposed on the erring coaches and players by commissioner Chito Salud, who summoned all those involved in the incident at his office on Monday.
Junjun Cabatu of Max! Bond Super Glue and Ariel Mepana of Cebuana Lhuillier were suspended for taking a cheap shot at each other that set off the scuffle and emptied both benches. They were also fined P5,000 each.
In the case of the two coaches, Salud said Jarencio and Trillo committed an act classified as “conduct unbecoming a head coach” for engaging each other in a heated verbal and physical altercation in full view of the public.
The two coaches were fined P10,000 apiece.
Jarencio will serve his suspension on Tuesday, certainly not the best of time as the Sumos try to close out their campaign in the classification round with a crucial win against the FCA Cultivators in their scheduled game 2 p.m. match at the Meralco Gym.
The Sumos (3-2), who are coming off a 58-73 blowout against the Gems, (4-1) are hard-pressed to win against the Cultivators (3-2) to stay in contention for the second outright quarterfinal berth in Group B.
“Wala tayong magagawa kung iyon ang desisyon,” Jarencio.
Trillo’s suspension takes effect next Tuesday, when the Gems battles coleader Cobra Energy Drink at the close of the classification round.
Salud also penalized Sumo Riel Cervantes and Gem Jonathan Semira, Alfred Mandani, Kelly Nabong and Jason Escueta P5,000 each for entering the playing court while the incident is in progress.
Narciso Llagas, who was on the court when the scuffle took place, also drew P5,000 for engaging in an altercation with members of the opposing team while game officials were reviewing the incident.
Also fined but for different offenses were Sumo Roel Hugnatan (P1,000 for second motion) and Rudy Lingganay (P1,750 for flagrant foul penalty 1) and Cebuana Lhuillier’s James Ryan Sena (P1,750 for flagrant foul penalty 1).
