MANILA, Philippines – Sa pagsasabi ng kanyang saloobin, pinagbabayad ng P250,000 si Purefoods import Daniel Orton matapos batikusin ang tawag ng mga PBA referees at ang laro ni Manny Pacquiao.
Ito ang naging hatol ni PBA commissioner Chito Salud kay Orton matapos ang kanilang 30-minutong pag-uusap ngayong Biyernes.
"For issuing comments that are disparaging, disrespectful of and offensive to his host league, the game officials and a fellow player and head coach of a member-team, a penalty of P250,000 is hereby imposed on Mr Orton," pahayag ni Salud na nakatakdang magbitiw sa pwesto pagkatapos ng third conference.
“Regardless of what action his ballclub may take regarding his status, this Office disapproves of and frowns upon the cavalier manner in which Mr Orton issued his comments and the unwarranted antics and liberties he has taken with the league and a fellow player. This insulting behavior will never be condoned by this league," dagdag niya.
Matapos ang pagkatalo ng Purefoods kontra sa Kia Carnival ni Pacquiao ay sinabi ni Orton na sinira ng mga referee ang kanyang laro.
Dagdag niya na isa ring “joke” ang paglalaro ni Pacquiao ng basketball.
“Before the game, I was looking forward to it (matchup with PJ Ramos), because I’m a guy who likes to battle it at the post. They [referees] really took the game that I know and love and made it into a mockery tonight [Tuesday],” wika ni Orton pagkatapos ng laro kung saan na-fouled out siya na may anim na puntos at tatlong rebounds lamang.
“That’s (Pacquiao playing) a joke, part of the joke I’m talking about. Professional boxer? Yeah. Congressman? Alright. But professional basketball player? Seriously? It’s a joke.”