PBA summons Yeng, Chot on tune-up tussle

MANILA, Philippines - PBA coaches Yeng Guiao and Chot Reyes are expected to be summoned by the Commissioner’s Office for their verbal altercation that marred the Talk n Text-Rain or Shine tune-up match at the Northeast Greenhills gym in San Juan last Thursday.

“Commissioner Chito Salud has asked the referees who officiated the game to report on the incident. The commissioner intends to summon the two coaches,” said PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial.

Reports have it that the incident was triggered when TnT rookie guard Pamboy Raymundo threw a punch on Rain or Shine sophomore Jonathan Uyloan.

Guiao allegedly confronted Raymundo then Reyes came to the rescue of his player, leading to a near fight between the two coaches.

The match was later resumed with the Elasto Painters outlasting an undermanned Talk n Text side, 100-96.

Meanwhile, the Tropang Texters appeared to have gained in size and ceiling with the entry of Japeth Aguilar to the team in the upcoming season.

“We see Japeth Aguilar’s size and his athleticism. He brings us up to another level,” said Talk n Text team manager Aboy Castro.

The Texters played minus key players Kelly Williams, Jimmy Alapag and Ranidel de Ocampo, who were allowed a three-week rest after reinforcing Smart Gilas Pilipinas in the recent FIBA Asian Championship meet in Wuhan.

Williams, Alapag and De Ocampo will miss the team’s first three games in the coming Philippine Cup, but team officials are hopeful they can compete with what they have.

“It’s better to rest Kelly, Jimmy and Ranidel or they’ll get burnt out. They’ve been playing basketball without rest the last 11 months,” Castro added.

Williams left for the United States Wednesday night and Alapag followed suit Thursday. De Ocampo will undergo a procedure to repair his broken nose at home.

The Talk n Text team manager said Raymundo will help Jason Castro tend the backcourt in Alapag’s absence.

“Pamboy is a tough point guard and he’s a winner. He won championships with San Sebastian in the NCAA and in the PBL. He’s also with the N-LEX champion team in the PBA D-League,” said Castro.

Meanwhile, sensational import Billy Ray Bates was to fly in from the United States with his wife last night to personally attend his induction into the PBA Hall of Fame Sunday.

Bates, the electrifying player who powered the Crispa Redmanizers and the Barangay Ginebra Kings to championships in the 80s, will go on a mall tour today as scheduled by the PBA marketing team.

Bates, together with Alvin Patrimonio, Freddie Hubalde, Tommy Manotoc, Mariano Yenko, Tito Eduque and Bobong Velez, made the fourth batch of esteemed personages to be enshrined to the Hall during the 37th PBA season inaugural rites Sunday.