Pingris, Nabong, Devance sacked, fined

MANILA, Philippines - San Mig Coffee forward Marc Pingris and Globalport rookie center Kelly Nabong drew two games suspension and fined P60,000 each while another Mixer Joe Devance was slapped one-game suspension for figuring in a player-brawl that marred the San Mig Coffee-Globalport match at the Cuneta Astrodome last Wednesday.

Globalport rookie Marvin Hayes was also fined P20,000 for an “unsportsmanlike conduct equivalent to a flagrant foul penalty two” in the incident that drew a total of P150,000 in fines.

Pingris and Nabong, who exchanged blows and kicks, drew severe sanctions in the melee that was replayed on TV and went viral on the internet.

Devance was also assessed P30,000 in fines for triggering the brawl by deliberately ramming into Hayes, who crashed to the floor from the impact.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud deplored the incident and put to task the erring players for the first free-for-all seen in the league in years.

“Fighting will not be condoned by the league. There is absolutely no justification for our players to get involved in fistfights,” said Salud.

“Strong emphasis is being placed on this policy so much so that those who dare trigger fights will be penalized accordingly,” the league chieftain also said.

“Instigators also deserve special mention, especially those not even directly involved in the immediate action. They too will have to bear a heavy price for their act,” he added.

And Salud made a timely reminder not just to the offenders but to all the PBA players.

“Long after sanctions have been served, your overall conduct’s impression on our youth will continue to last. Be more circumspect,” he said.

“Our players’ responsibility of role modeling, particularly to our youth, is sacrosanct in the PBA,” Salud also said.

With this development, San Mig Coffee will be severely handicapped as it tangles with Barangay Ginebra and Alaska Milk in crucial games tomorrow and Tuesday.

Globalport will miss the services of Nabong as the Batang Pier battle the Barako Bull Energy also on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Meralco Bolts struck with an improbable treble against the PBA’s three reigning champs, completing the rousing feat on their 82-76 conquest of PBA Governors Cup titleholder Rain or Shine at the Mall of Asia Arena last night.

In eight days, Meralco turned the tables on all-Filipino titlist Talk n Text, Commissioner’s Cup champion Alaska Milk then Rain or Shine to zoom to solo second behind frontrunner Petron Blaze nearing the homestretch of the short eliminations of the season-ending tourney.

Wendell McKines tossed in a PBA best of 38 points with Sonny Thoss adding 16 points and 11 rebounds as Alaska bounced back from a loss to Meralco Tuesday, tripping Talk n Text, 112-104, later in the night.