Pingris escapes suspension but fined P40K

MANILA, Philippines –San Mig Coffee superstar Marc Pingris was slapped with a hefty Php 40,000 fine for punching Meralco Bolts big man James Sena but escaped suspension.

PBA Commissioner Chito Salud affirmed the Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 called which merited an automatic ejection from the game. Pingris was clearly seen on video replays that he retaliated with a sucker punch to unsuspecting Meralco Bolts’ big man James Sena after receiving a hard hit on his injured ribs during their Tuesday match, which the Mixers handily won, 108-90.

“After a thorough consideration of all the circumstances of the case, including the reports of the referee concerned and the technical committee, as well as your own testimony, this office finds that after a hard pick you received from James Ryan Sena, you were seen grabbing his jersey and throwing a punchthat landed on his lower backside,” Salud told Pingris in a statement issued after their 15-minute talk on Thursday afternoon.

“The act was properly classified as a FFP2 for which you were ejected. This office considers such act as blatantly unnecessary, excessive and unsportsmanlike in nature,” Salud added.

Salud, however, spared him of further sanctions after taking into account the gravity of the attack and the impact of the punch. 

The PBA chieftain also took the opportunity to remind Pingris to act accordingly especially now that he is one of the key members of the Gilas Pilipinas national team.

A remorseful and apologetic Pingris showed up in Salud’s office on Thursday afternoon.

It was the second time that Pingris got involved in a fight since after his heroic efforts in Gilas’ silver medal run in the FIBA Asia Men’s Championship last year.

Last year, Pingris was also fined Php 60,000 and got suspended for two games after his fight with GlobalPort enforcer Kelly Nabong.

Sena, who also had heated moments with San Mig center Rafi Reavis during the match, was spared of any sanction. He claimed that his elbow hit on Pingris’ ribs was “purely accidental”.