By REYNALD MAGALLON
Calvin Abueva got away from a possible suspension but was still slapped with a hefty ₱100,000 fine over his antics during Game 2 of the 2023-’24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday, Feb. 4.
The ever-controversial forward got into several altercations in Magnolia’s 109-85 loss, first a verbal tussle against San Miguel head coach and later on, a shouting match with Mo Tautuaa’s wife at the hallway of the Mall of Asia Arena.
According to the Commissioner’s Office, Abueva’s fine came after he was caught on the arena’s jumbotron mocking the visual disability of the veteran SMB coach following their heated exchange at the 9:52 mark of the final frame.
Under the league rules, “any person who offends the dignity of any person on account of ‘physical disability’ shall be subject to a fine not lower than P 100,000.”
Surprisingly, no sanction was meted against Abueva after he, along with his wife, Sam charged into the Arena’s hallway in an effort to confront Tautuaa’s wife who alleged Abueva of disrespecting her while the Hotshots star was on her way out of the venue.
Abueva and Tautuaa were both summoned by PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial and were given time and space to talk things over.
“Abueva apologized to the PBA and to Tautuaa and his wife. Nagkausap at nagkaayos na sila,” said Marcial, who warned the two that a repetition of such incident will be dealt with a heavier penalty.
Abueva also told Marcial that he had already reached to Gallent and apologized for his misconduct to which the SMB mentor accepted.
