ROUGH PLAY
3 ejected Air 21 players face sanctions
By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:31:00 10/07/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Air 21 stars Arwind Santos and veterans Homer Se and Wynne Arboleda face possible suspension on top of hefty fines for their rough play that marred the Express’ stunning 120-102 defeat to the new-look Rain or Shine in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup last Sunday.
Express coach Bo Perasol said the three players, who were all ejected from the game, have been summoned to the Philippine Basketball Association office by league commissioner Renauld “Sonny” Barrios on Tuesday.
Off-hand, Perasol said Santos and Se are expected to sit out their next game against Talk N’ Text on Thursday since the two players committed Flagrant Foul category 2, which merits an automatic suspension under PBA rules.
Barrios has the discretion on the sanction on Arboleda, who was slapped with two technical fouls.
Arboleda was ejected in the third quarter when he fouled Rain or Shine rookie Gabe Norwood in what looked like a clothesline tackle.
Arboleda’s first technical foul was for a second motion, also in a play that involved Norwood in the first quarter.
Santos elbowed a driving Solomon Mercado late in the game and was also banished.
Se planted an elbow on Mark Andaya’s face that led to his ejection in the second quarter.
The 6-foot-6 Se has a history of getting too physical with players from other teams.
On top of two-game suspensions, Se has been fined a total of P95,000 for nine previous offenses.
His last infraction was for his participation in an altercation during the Air21-Sta. Lucia Realty game last June, where he figured in a fight with Realtors star Kelly Williams.
Se is expected to get the stiffest fine among the three players because he was assessed a total of six Flagrant Fouls-category 1 last season.
Only eight players
With Santos and Se expected to serve their suspension and Doug Kramer and JC Intal absent because of Kramer’s wedding that is also scheduled on Thursday, Perasol said he will only have eight players against Talk N’ Text.
Perasol said he plans to sign free agent Adonis Sta. Maria to a short-term contract to beef up his decimated roster.
The 6-foot-5 Sta. Maria, a former De La Salle University Archer, played for Welcoat, now known as Rain or Shine last season.
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