MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao was levied a hefty fine of Php100,000 for his post-game tirade against Meralco Bolts forward Cliff Hodge.
Hodge got the ire of Guiao for his hard foul against Rain or Shine rookie Raymond Almazan. Guiao was seen and heard shouting "mongoloid" towards Hodge on their way to the locker room after the game, which Rain or Shine won to level the series and force a knockout game on Saturday.
Upon reviewing the incident and a meeting with Guiao and Hodge separately on Friday, PBA Commissioner Chito Salud found both parties guilty.
"We find the conduct of coach Guiao unbecoming and unacceptable on two counts – First, accosting and insulting a player with total disregard for civility and circumspection; Second, using the word mongolid, a derogatory term alluding to people with Down’s Syndrome," Salud said in a statement released to the media.
"Its use shows a lack of sensitivity to persons with disabilities and is particularly hurtful to the class of people suffering from the disorder, their families and friends," the statement added.
Hodge, meanwhile, was fined Php20,000 after his hard foul (closed fist to the face) on Almazan in the 35-second mark of the fourth quarter was upgraded to Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 upon review.
Salud took the opportunity to remind again the league again.
"The PBA, its players and officials have to be aware that the use of words with pejorative undertones has no place in a league that regards itself as an institution our youth can look up to as an example," Salud said.