Belga, Almazan fined for taunting fans

MANILA, Philippines - The PBA yesterday slapped Rain or Shine’s Beau Belga and Raymond Almazan a total fine of P110,000 for their unsportsmanlike conduct in their highly physical encounter with Barangay Ginebra at the Astrodome last Sunday.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud meted each player P40,000 for their foul conducts towards the fans while Belga was slapped an additional fine of P30,000 for flagrant infractions against the Ginebra players.

For his several infractions in a single game, Salud also 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 them, made worse by 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 fouls against Mark Caguioa, Eman Monfort and Chris Ellis.

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