John-O cagers suspended

The Philippine Basketball League cracked yesterday the whip on two cagers for their unsportsmanlike conduct in a fight-marred game between ICTSI-La Salle and John-O last Tuesday at the Makati Coliseum.

John-O’s Romar Menor, a second team forward out of St. Benilde, was suspended for three games with a possible fine for punching ICTSI’s Carlo Sharma in the face that led to his being ejected from the game.

Commissioner Chino Trinidad likewise suspended Menor’s teammate Al Vergara for one game for his flagrant foul on ICTSI’s Mark Cardona also in the same contest.

Trinidad is also awaiting a recommendation from the league’s technical committee headed by referee chief Vic Maglaya and may also sanction the 6-foot-6 Sharma, who was also ejected from the match..

"We hope this will serve as a warning to others," Trinidad told The STAR.

Aside from the sanctions, the PBL has also reprimanded ICTSI’s Cardona for trash talking and both the Archers and the Senators for their misconduct in the game that led to the punching incident.

John-O team manager Carlos Sario said he was informed of the suspension and expressed deep regret over the incident while scoring the referees for their failure to control the match.

"We would like to apologize for my players’ actions," said Sario, whose charges trail the Hapee Teeth Sparklers with a 4-2 slate. "Pero sana hindi lang players ma-suspend, pati referees for failing to control the game."

Trinidad said they are still discussing the matter and is not discounting the possibility of suspending game officials.

"We have scheduled a meeting on Saturday and we will review and discuss the matter," said Trinidad. "If we can find circumstances of neglect by the referees, suspension is possible."

Despite the loss, John-O has something to cheer about as its main man – Ranidel de Ocampo — is the current leader in the MVP statistical race after six games.

Tailing De Ocampo, younger brother of FedEx’s Yancy, are Hapee’s Rich Alvarez and Peter June Simon, Nutri-licious’ Nelbert Omolon and Irvin Sotto.

Meanwhile, the Sunkist PBL Unity Cup made true its vow to go regional this season as it stages a pair of out-of-town games in Cebu and Bacolod on April 25 and 27.

Viva Mineral Water clashes with ICTSI while league leader Hapee takes on Nutri-licious in Cebu City on April 25. ICTSI then plays Nutri-licious and Hapee goes up against Viva in Bacolod on April 27.

After a five-day Lenten break, the league resumes Sunday at the Pasig Sports Center featuring Blu Star Power versus LBC Batangas and Viva against Welcoat Paints.

Team Philippines, bankrolled by Cebuana Lhuillier, on the other hand, tackles Nutri-licious in an exhibition game at 6 p.m., capping another PBL triplebill.