MANILA, Philippines – Pinagbabayad ng pamunuan ng Philippine Basketball Association ng mga multa sina Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao at Meralco Bolts forward Cliff Hodge.
Matapos abangan si Hodge pagkatapos ng laro at sigawan ng “mongoloid†pinarusahan siya ni PBA commissioner Chito Salud ng P100,000 na multa.
Nag-ugat ang galit ni Guiao matapos ang hard fould ni Hodge sa Elasto Painters rookie na si Raymond Almazan sa game two ng kanilang best-of-three quarterfinals series nitong kamakalawa.
Dahil naman sa closed-fist na hambalos ni Hodge kay Almazan ay pinagbabayad ang Bolts forward ng P20,000.
"We find the conduct of coach Guiao unbecoming and unacceptable on two counts – First, accosting and insulting a player with total disregard for civility and circumspection; Second, using the word mongolid, a derogatory term alluding to people with Down’s Syndrome," pahayag ni Salud.
"Its use shows a lack of sensitivity to persons with disabilities and is particularly hurtful to the class of people suffering from the disorder, their families and friends," dagdag niya.
Muling nagpaalala si Salud sa mga manlalaro, coaches at staff ng liga.
"The PBA, its players and officials have to be aware that the use of words with pejorative undertones has no place in a league that regards itself as an institution our youth can look up to as an example."
Magtutuos muli ang Rain or Shine at Meralco bukas para sa kanilang do-or-die match upang makatawid sa semi-finals.