PBA fines Kenneth, EJ P20T each

Barely two weeks into the season, three players and one coach have incurred fines totalling P50,000 from the PBA Commissioner’s Office.

Alaska’s Kenneth Duremdes and Purefoods’ EJ Feihl drew fines of P20,000 each for figuring in a fight in their game Sunday won by the Hotdogs, 95-77.

Ali Peek, another Alaska Ace, was earlier fined P5,000 for an elbow foul on Sta. Lucia rookie Francis Adriano during the season opener.

Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao also incurred a P5,000 fine after being overheard ordering player Lordy Tugade, who complained of rough play from Pido Jarencio, to get back at the Pop Cola player in their game Friday. The Panthers won the game, 88-77.

Duremdes and Feihl nearly slugged it out after a strong collision in a rebound battle. Duremdes admitted hitting Feihl after the rebound play, triggering the fight that caused their ejection from the game with still nine minutes left to play in the contest.

Curiously, the two were good friends during their college days at Adamson. They have played together in several international tournaments with the latest in the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok. At present, both are under the wings of one agent-adviser in Danny Espiritu.

Meanwhile, Formula Shell and Pop Cola seek to sustain the momentum of their auspicious debut in the PBA 2001 season, looking for their second straight win as they take on Red Bull and Mobiline, respectively, today at the Philsports Arena.

The Turbo Chargers and the Panthers are both hoping to jumpstart their campaign this season after woeful showings last year.

Shell failed to make it past the elimination round in any of the three conferences last season, winning only nine of 33 outings while Pop Cola registered a 12-22 win-loss mark, finishing the season with six straight defeats.

Shell opened its bid with a 68-59 whipping of Mobiline while Pop Cola started its campaign with an 88-77 drubbing of Red Bull last Friday.

Both the Turbo Chargers and the Panthers rode a new wave of confidence in their debut following a major overhaul in the off-season.

Shell coach Perry Ronquillo gave new recruits Michael Hrabak and Rob Wainwright limited playing time, saying he plans to build them up slowly.

Pop Cola coach Chot Reyes, meanwhile, immediately threw new players Johnny Abarrientos, Rudy Hatfield, Poch Juinio and Pido Jarencio into the battle with the four responding positively, blending well with Nelson Asaytono, Jojo Lastimosa and William Antonio.