Calvin Abueva suspended indefinitely

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Basketball Association threw the book at Phoenix Pulse star Calvin Abueva for his infractions in the Fuel Masters’ last two games, suspending him indefinitely and meting him a total of P70,000 in fines to highlight a long list of sanctions on offending personalities.

Twelve players and coaches who committed infractions in the highly heated match between Phoenix and TNT last Sunday were sanctioned after the PBA Commissioner’s Office completed its probe. 

Carrying the brunt was Abueva, who got his indefinite ban and heavy fine for his involvement in two separate incidents in Phoenix’s matches with Blackwater and the KaTropa. 

He was ordered to pay P20,000 for “verbal altercation with a female fan” in the aftermath of his lewd gesture towards Maika Rivera, the girlfriend of Blackwater rookie Rayray Parks last Friday, then penalized P50,000 for clotheslining TNT’s Terrence Jones that merited a flagrant foul penalty 2.

Abueva’s coach Louie Alas also got suspended for two games and fined P40,000 for “flagrant misconduct” and for “issuing statements detrimental to the league.”

Although he wasn’t whistled for an infraction during the game, Jones was sanctioned upon review and slapped P50,000 for “hitting Abueva in his private area” plus P20,000 for “contacting referee Joel Baldago” as he charged at Abueva.

TNT consultant Mark Dickel, who was thrown out of that match , received fines of P1,000 for “disrespectfully addressing an official” and another P20,000 for “throwing the ball at an official.”

KaTropa’s twins David and Anthony Semerad were made to remit P20,000 each for “fighting stance” during the first-quarter skirmish.

The PBA also fined Miguel Fernandez (P10,000 for approaching the technical table), Don Trollano and Alex Mallari (P5,000 each for flagrant 1), Jayson Castro and Jason Perkins (P1,000 each for verbal altercation), and Phoenix import Rob Dozier (P1,000 for second motion).

Meanwhile, NorthPort faces a test of character as it seeks to bounce back from its maiden loss in the tourney versus San Miguel Beer tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Batang Pier saw their three-game win streak halted by defending champion Ginebra last Saturday, 70-73.

To get back on track, they need to hurdle a major force in the Beermen, who are coming off a record five-peat in the previous Philippine Cup.