PINGRIS FINED P40K, ESCAPES SUSPENSION
Marc Pingris was fined P40,000 for his flagrant infraction against James Sena with 3:15 to go in the first half of the San Mig SupeCoffee – Meralco tussle Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The energetic San Mig forward was spared of suspension, though, making him available for the San Mig Coffee-GlobalPort tiff at 8 p.m. Friday also at the Big Dome.
Pingris was tossed out of the match after hitting Sena on the back in reaction to a hard pick drawn from the latter.
“After thorough consideration of all the circumstances of the case, including the reports of the referee concerned and the technical committee, as well as your own testimony, this office finds that after a hard pick you received from James Ryan Sena, you were seen grabbing his jersey and throwing a punch that landed on his lower backside,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud in a statement.
“The act was properly classified as a FFP2 (flagrant foul penalty 2) for which you were ejected. This office considers such act as blatantly unnecessary, excessive and unsportsmanlike in nature,” the league chieftain added.
It’s the second major infraction of Pingris in his pro career after his fight with then GlobalPort rookie Kelly Nabong last year.
He was then suspended for two games and fined P60,000. (SB)
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