The PBA Commissioner’s Office has slapped Chot Reyes with a hefty fine for confronting officials after their 94-92 defeat to Magnolia on Wednesday night.
In a statement Thursday, the league said that the TNT head coach will have to pay P50,000 for two infractions — first for approaching the technical table and using profane language while on the way out of SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“The Office of Commissioner will fine Coach Chot for 50K for crossing the court to confront the game officials and the technical table,” it said.
It added, “as well as incessantly shouting invectives/shouting profanities at game officials while exiting the Smart Araneta Coliseum’s South Gate.”
The PBA cited a memo dated October 22, 2007 to reiterate that approaching officials before, during, or after games are prohibited.
“No member of any team may approach the Commissioner’s Row (now the Technical Group Table) or talk to the Supervisor of Officials (unless otherwise requested) before, during or after a game in full public view,” it said.
Reyes’ displeasure stemmed from the foul called on Calvin Oftana with 4.3 seconds left, which led to Paul Lee’s marginal free throws that eventually spoiled the Tropang Giga’s mid-season conference debut.
The outspoken mentor contested the call but the league said that the referee made the right call based on new footage of the particular play obtained.
Fined P20,000 was team manager Jojo Lastimosa also for crossing the court and confronting game officials and the technical table.
