Globalport’s Terrence Romeo and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Emman Monfort escaped suspension after the two players were fined P30,000 each by PBA Commissioner Chito Salud yesterday for figuring in a fracas that marred last week’s tune-up game at the Green Meadows gym.
Romeo and Monfort were sanctioned by the league chief after trading punches in the second quarter of the game used as preparation for their respective teams’ campaign in the Commissioner’s Cup which starts on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Salud also handed out a P10,000 fine to Globalport center Kelly Nabong for showing a fighting stance.
Ginebra was up 38-31 in the second quarter when the 5-foot-10 Romeo and the 5-foot-6 Monfort went at it following a heated play.
The fight forced the game officials to call off the game.
The incident is the latest of a series of fights that have marred scrimmages among PBA squads in recent years.
The league even instituted a rule that will allow officials to stop the game if fights occur during exhibition matches.
Globalport will make their Commissioner’s Cup debut on opening day against expansion team Kia. Ginebra, on the other hand, battles Meralco in the second game.
Games in the Commissioner’s Cup will be played Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as the league hopes to wrap up the conference early so the Philippine team can get ready for the FIBA-Asia championships that will be held in China.
The China event will be a qualifier for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Coached by Manny Pacquiao, the Sorento will parade 7-4 Peter John Ramos, a former member of the Puerto Rican national team, who will be up against Batang Pier recruit CJ Leslie.
Ginebra will put to test former Air21 reinforcement Michael Dunigan.