PBA fines Ginebra’s Caguioa for ‘critical’ comments on officiating

Mark Caguioa. PBA IMAGES/Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — Ginebra guard Mark Caguioa was meted a fine of P20,000 by the PBA Commissioner’s office Wednesday for his tweets and post-game remarks against officiating last Sunday.

The PBA, in a statement posted on its Twitter account, said Caguioa’s statements were “critical of officiating and considered inimical to the interest of the PBA.”

Following the Kings’ 99-102 loss to Alaska, Caguioa ripped the game officials for what he thought were non-calls in the end game.

The vocal leader of the crowd darling-Ginebra called the referees “blind” in a interview with reporters after the match, and also took to Twitter his frustrations.

“So pwede pala sa PBA yung traveling noh? Ksi d naman nila tinatawag on both teams eh [Didn’t know travelling was allowed in the PBA? Because they don’t call it on both teams],” Caguioa said in a tweet (@officialMC471).

Caguioa was referring to a play by Aces’ Wendell McKines in the final minute, resulting into a pivotal bucket which ultimately doomed the Kings.

But the league said Caguioa should’ve addressed his concerns directly to the PBA Commissioner’s office.

“As the leader of his ballclub and a stalwart of the league, Mr. Caguioa realized he should have ventilated his issues to the league office directly for proper remedial action which by rule and long-standing policy is the procedure that players, coaches and team officials must observe,” the statement also said.