Rain or Shine import Shawn Taggart and Phoenix assistant coach Nic Belasco escaped suspension after they were fined P30,000 each for a scuffle that occurred following their PBA Commissioner’s Cup game last week.
The fine, which was announced by the league yesterday, came six days after Taggart and Belasco figured in a heated exchange at the end of Rain or Shine’s come-from-behind 96-94 victory over Phoenix at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The fines equaled the highest incurred by a player, coach or team official in the midseason conference.
San Miguel’s Ronald Tubid was asked to pay a penalty of P30,000 and was subsequently suspended for committing a flagrant foul on Meralco’s Chris Newsome last April 2.
Belasco shoved Taggart to the chin as they were talking at center court, prompting the Rain or Shine to respond by slapping the former PBA player to the cheek before being separated by peacemakers.
Belasco later apologized after he was summoned by PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa minutes after the incident.
The punishment should be welcome news for Rain or Shine, which would not like to have Taggart serve a suspension ahead of its match with San Miguel on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Elasto Painters carry a 4-2 record after erasing a 17-point deficit and eight with less than two minutes remaining in their game with the Fuel Masters, who fell to 2-4 after the epic meltdown.
