Belga, Almazan fined P40K each for antics in Ginebra game

MANILA, Philippines – If Rain or Shine player Beau Belga thought he had the last laugh in his tussle with the Barangay Ginebra fans Sunday night, he should think again.

Belga and teammate Raymond Almazan drew stiff sanctions for their unsportsmanlike behavior in their game versus the Gin Kings, incurring a heavy fine of P40,000 each for their foul conducts towards the fans.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud meted the two erring players a total fine of P110,000, counting P30,000 fines assessed Belga for flagrant infractions against the Ginebra players.

For numerous infractions in a single game, Salud warned Belga that similar actions and actuations in the future will be dealt with more severely.

“There is absolutely no excuse for any player to engage the fans in a hostile and provocative manner,” said Salud, stressing the fans are the lifeblood of the league.

“While there may be in fact some unruly and rowdy spectators, these are exceptional instances.  Players are thus admonished to maintain professional decorum under these occasional circumstances and allow league and venue officials to deal with any untoward situation involving the crowd,” Salud also said.

Belga engaged the fans in a side battle almost throughout the RoS-Ginebra match, taunting, provoking and scoffing at the fans with the use of a dirty finger and other offensive verbal and physical gestures.

Almazan was caught in a video doing the same at the end of the game as the Elasto Painters pulled through with a come-from-behind 82-79 victory.

Belga drew P30,000 for flagrant infractions against Mark Caguioa, Eman Monfort and Chris Ellis.

“The foregoing flagrant fouls were missed by the game officials.  The referees were reprimanded and directed to be more vigilant of dirty and hurtful plays which may escape attention in real time by reviewing replays to enable them to better determine possible flagrant contact,” said Salud.

Ginebra forward Dorian Pena was slapped a fine of P10,000 for his flagrant foul against Almazan.