NLEX heads into its 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal do-or-die tiff with NorthPort Wednesday undermanned.
On Tuesday, the league suspended both Poy Erram and Paul Varilla following the scuffle that broke out in the series’ first game Monday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The PBA also slapped the 6-foot-7 Erram with a hefty PHP 50,000 fine. Meanwhile, Varilla will have to pay PHP 40,000.
The commotion started when Batang Pier import Michael Qualls attacked the rim and inadvertently landed on Varilla. The latter then took issue, as he came charging towards the lanky American.
Erram then came to Varilla’s defense, swinging his arm and catching Qualls on the nape. Varilla, meanwhile, pushed Christian Standhardinger down while the Fil-German center tried to pacify him.
Erram and Varilla were both assessed with flagrant foul penalty two, leading to their ejection. Officials then awarded the Batang Pier with six free throws. They eventually walked away with the 115-90 win.
Meanwhile, Road Warriors Philip Paniamogan and Kiefer Ravena were penalized by the league as well.
Paniamogan was slapped with a PHP 5,000 fine for incurring a flagrant foul penalty, while Ravena will pay PHP 1,000 for a technical foul for second motion. Both were against Standhardinger.
Standhardinger was also sanctioned upon review and will have to pay PHP 5,000 for an F1 against Ravena.
The rubber match will be at 7:00 p.m. at the Big Dome, with the winner set to face Barangay Ginebra in the semifinals.
