By REYNALD MAGALLON
The PBA cracked the whip on Ginebra players LA Tenorio and Prince Caperal and Meralco guard Franky Johnson due to separate incidents that transpired during the heated quarterfinals series between their teams in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Tenorio was slapped with a P20,000 fine for his comments deemed ‘detrimental to the league’ after the Kings’ 106-104 loss to the Bolts in Game 3 of their quarterfinals duel last Sunday, July 31 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The veteran guard was furious over the crucial offensive foul called by lead referee Peter Balao on Scottie Thompson with 10 seconds left in the game. It was Thompson’s sixth and final foul with the Kings still trailing 106-104.
Tenorio refused to be interviewed after the game but gave a piece of his mind especially towards the referee who called the foul.
“Siya nag-decide ng laro. Ang ganda ganda ng laro, e,” said Tenorio.
Last Monday, the PBA, upon review, stood by the call of Balao and said it was the right decision during the controversial play.
Tenorio’s teammate Caperal was also fined for another P10,000 after incurring his second straight flagrant foul Penalty 1 in Game 3. Caperal was already assessed with an F1 during the Game 2 of the series when his initial non-call hit on Meralco’s Chris Newsome was upgraded upon the review.
Johnson, on the other hand, was slapped with a P20,000 fine after throwing the ball to Christian Standhardinger during their altercation during the warmup before Game 2.
