Yeng Guiao and Chris Ross opt to move on
The much-talked about tilt that pitted the San Miguel Beermen against the NLEX Road Warriors last January 18 featured numerous confrontations and exchanges. But none was more heated than what happened between fiery head coach Yeng Guiao and emotional defensive cog Chris Ross.
With 1:46 remaining in that game, Guiao and Ross figured in a verbal altercation that resulted in the latter being slapped with his second technical foul of the contest.
The league could not find any hard evidence that this had occurred.
“Upon review of the incident, consulting possible witnesses to the event and discussing the matter with both parties, the alleged racist remark attributed to Coach Guiao could not be established,” the league said in a statement. “Coach Guiao has denied such allegation while Chris Ross has opted to move forward and said that he would not want to discuss the matter further. However, Coach Guiao and Chris Ross will be subject to appropriate fines for their respective misconduct.
“As a result, the Office of the Commissioner finds no sufficient basis to discuss the matter of an alleged racist remark uttered by Coach Guiao. It may be recalled that in a previous incident, a heavy penalty was imposed for a racist remark that was clearly proven.
“Rest assured that any act that is racially derogatory and pejorative in nature will be dealt with sternly by the league,” the statement ended.
As a result, Guiao has been fined PHP 11,000 for the obscene gesture, use of profane language, and engaging in a verbal altercation. Ross has been fined the amount of PHP 2,600 for incurring two technical fouls, both for verbal altercation.
