When the technical committee of the Philippine Basketball Association assessed that Mark Barroca’s ‘low blow’ on Chris Banchero last Wednesday warranted a PHP 50,000 bill, many scratched their heads.
Comments on social media ranged from the claim being ‘too much’ to being ‘too lenient’, as some were expecting a suspension – including Alaska Aces head coach Alex Compton.
However, league commissioner Willie Marcial and the committee were put in a precarious position, since the referees made no calls when the play occurred late in the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.
“Si Barroca kasi, sabi ko nga, ni-review namin ‘yung tape. Eh non-call. Sa non-call, tiningnan ko kung may precedent, eh walang precedent.”
Marcial cited a past case involving Don Trollano and Arwind Santos last June 16, which saw the former punch the latter but no foul was called.
“Parang yung nangyari sa amin ‘yung kay Trollano, na sinuntok niya si Arwind Santos. Na hindi din tinawagan ng referees, so sa review namin, nakita namin na may suntok, diba? Nakita namin na may suntok, so ang fine namin sa kanya, twenty-thousand pesos at walang suspension,” he added.
This time around, the amiable official raised the fine for Barroca while giving him a stern warning – ‘do it again, you’ll be suspended.’
“So ganoon ang nangyari kay Barroca, eh eto, nakita namin na ano, tinaasan ko na. Fifty-thousand pesos at winarningan ko siya na ‘pag inulit niya pa ulit, F2 (flagrant two) or unsportsmanlike foul, sususpindihin ko na siya. Wala nang tanong-tanong, susupindihin ko na siya.”
Marcial also disclosed that Alaska head coach Alex Compton has been slapped with a PHP 20,000 fine. Compton intends to appeal.
Referee Dacx Dacanay has also been suspended for not making a call during that play.
“Siya lang, siya lang, kasi yung isang nasa harapan, nagbibilang naman yun eh. So siya ang titingin sa bola, at kung stepping, diba? So yung andito, dapat nakita niya yung… tumingin siya sa bola,” rued Marcial.
“Kung yun natawagan, wala tayong problema.”
