NLEX's Guiao, SMB's Ross penalized after verbal altercation

MANILA, Philippines – NLEX coach Yeng Guiao and San Miguel Beer guard Chris Ross were dealt fines of P11,000 and P2,600, respectively, in the aftermath of their verbal tussle toward the end of their game Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Guiao escaped a heavier penalty as it was not established that he uttered a racist remark as alleged by Ross in a talk with San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria.

Nonetheless, Guiao and Ross became the first individuals sanctioned by the PBA under the watch of Willie Marcial as officer-in-charge.

Facing possible suspension and fine are NLEX’s Michael Miranda, Rain or Shine’s Raymond Almazan and Kia’s Eric Camson as they’re summoned to appear in the PBA office today for their graver misconducts in their last game.

Miranda was tossed out of the game after kicking Ross in the groin while Almazan and Camson were ejected from the game after figuring in a scuffle.

For their mere verbal altercation, the league OIC opted to just talk to Guiao and Ross over the phone.

Marcial said Guiao denied hurling racist remark at Ross while the SMB player opted not to discuss the matter further and just move forward.

“As a result, the Office of the Commissioner finds no sufficient basis to discuss the matter of an alleged racist remark,” said Marcial, who nonetheless stressed racism has no place in the PBA.

“It is totally unacceptable in our society and in sports. The PBA will not hesitate to act if the evidence so warrants,” he said. “The PBA, its players and its officials are called upon to uphold the highest standard of respect that our youth can look upon as example.”

Marcial faced these issues a few days before the completion of his initial one-month tenure as PBA officer-in-charge.

On Thursday, Marcial joins the PBA board of governors in their first meeting in the year.

On top of the agenda is the process to be done in filling the vacant position of PBA commissioner.

Sources, however, say a majority number of the league board lean toward promoting Marcial from OIC to a full-fledged commissioner.

If ever, Marcial would be the 10th PBA commissioner after Leo Prieto, Mariano Yenko, Rudy Salud, Rey Marquez, Jun Bernardino, Noli Eala, Sonny Barrios, Chito Salud and Chito Narvasa.