Abueva fined P.1 M for mocking SMB coach

MANILA, Philippines — The PBA slapped Magnolia’s Calvin Abueva with a hefty fine of P100,000 for making a gesture mocking San Miguel Beer coach Jorge Gallent in Sunday’s Game 2.

Commissioner Willie Marcial explained that per league rules, “any person who offends the dignity of any person on account of ‘physical disability’ shall be subject to a fine not lower than P 100,000.”

Abueva had a verbal spat with Gallent in the fourth period and in full view of the public, gestured to his eye in apparent mockery of the latter’s visual disability. Gallent wears an artificial eye after losing his right eye in an accident in 1988.

The Magnolia forward was spared from a stiff sanction for his altercation with the wife of SMB’s Mo Tautuaa post-game, another incident he got involved with. Marcial said Abueva apologized both to Gallent and Tautuaa and his wife, Aida.

Abueva and the SMB big man appeared before Marcial yesterday afternoon and were given time alone to talk things over and settle their differences. “Abueva apologized to the PBA and to Tautuaa and his wife. Nagkausap at nagkaayos na sila,” said Marcial.