Knights fined P88,000, face ban for next misdemeanor

The MBA yesterday slapped Andok’s San Juan P88,000 in fines for the Knights’ gross misconduct during their tumultuous game against the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems in Cebu City last Friday.

MBA commissioner Gregorio "Ogie" Narvasa II urged the team to shape up or be shipped out of the community-based league, stressing a repetition of the offense might force him to "use an iron hand" in dealing with the team fast earning a reputation as the league’s most troublesome squad.

"This should serve as a warning to San Juan. We will not tolerate this kind of behavior again," MBA deputy commissioner Butch Antonio quoted Narvasa.

This marks the third straight year since San Juan joined the league in 1999 that the Knights were fined for their misdemeanor, the first when they nearly walked out of the Northern Conference semifinal series with the Pasig Rizal Pirates and when they were fined P54,000 for vandalizing their locker room at the Mail & More Gym in San Andres, Manila.

San Juan coach Philip Cezar got the heaviest fine of P30,000 for allowing his players to go on a fouling spree in the final quarter of the game plus a two-game suspension for his misbehavior.

Randy Alcantara was fined P12,000, Vilmer Bañares P5,000, while Ferdinand Rodriguez received a P5,000 fine and a one-game suspension for punching Cebu’s Mat Mitchell with 21 seconds to go in the third period.

Others who were fined for figuring in that fouling spree were Bruce Dacia (P8,000), Danilo Capobres (P6,000), Gilbert Castillo (P6,000), Philip Newton (P6,000), Christian Calaguio (P4,000), Omanzie Rodriguez (P4,000) and Michael Otto (P2,000). — Joey Villar

The Gems’ Homer Se was also fined P2,000 for pushing referee Arnold Cunanan with his elbow during a rebound play.

Meanwhile, Negros clashes with arch rival Cebuana Lhuillier at 5:30 p.m. at the Cebu City Coliseum today with the Slashers gunning for their sixth straight victory. – Joey Villar