By Jonas Terrado
Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. – GlobalPort vs Alaska
6:45 p.m. – Magnolia vs Rain or Shine
Players of Rain or Shine and GlobalPort were fined a total of R93,000 for a series of heated incidents that marred their PBA Commissioner’s Cup game last May 20 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Receiving the heaviest punishment was GlobalPort’s Kelly Nabong, who was asked to pay R30,000 (R20,000 for a Flagrant Foul 2 and R10,000 for flashing a dirty finger) after his involvement in a scuffle late in the fourth quarter of Rain or Shine’s 96-90 victory.
Rain or Shine’s Maverick Ahanmisi was fined R15,000 for shoving GlobalPort’s Sean Anthony while the latter’s teammate Mo Tautuaa R10,000 for throwing the ball at the latter.
Rain or Shine’s Jay Washington and GlobalPort’s Ryan Arana and Brad Guinto got R2,000 each for rushing to the scene of the fight.
GlobalPort import Malcolm White was handed a total of R22,000 – R20,000 for elbowing Rain or Shine’s Chris Tiu in the lip earlier in the fourth and R2,000 for being part of skirmish minutes later.
Rain or Shine’s Raymond Almazan, on the other hand, was fined R10,000 after hitting White in retaliation to the Tiu elbow.
No players were suspended for the separate incidents, thus putting Rain or Shine and GlobalPort at full strength against separate rivals in today’s doubleheader at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Rain or Shine tries to retain its hold on the top spot and possibly secure the first playoff berth against Magnolia at 6:45 p.m. while GlobalPort faces streaking Alaska in the 4:30 p.m.opener of the Petron Saturday Special.
The Elasto Painters seek their sixth win in seven matches, their confidence on a high with import Reggie Johnson leading the charge for coach Caloy Garcia.
They face a Magnolia squad that will parade new import Curtis Kelly, who replaced Vernon Macklin after opting to sign a contract to play in China.
GlobalPort, on the other hand, attempts to improve on its 3-3 slate behind White and Anthony, though Alaska is expected to prove its worthy status as a team running in a share of second place at 4-1.
