PBA: Aces’ Espinas dodges suspension, fined P20K

Gabby Espinas (left). INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/August dela Cruz

MANILA, Philippines — Alaska forward Gabby Espinas was fined P20,000 by the PBA Commissioner’s Office on Thursday for his actions towards Meralco sophomore Cliff Hodge during the knockout game for a quarterfinals spot last Monday.

Espinas’ flagrant foul penalty 1 was also upgraded to penalty 2 upon further review, but no suspension was meted thus the Aces’ bruiser will suit up in the do-or-die match against Ginebra on Saturday.

“The Flagrant Foul 1 called on Gabby Espinas is hereby upgraded to a flagrant foul 2 for its viciousness and the perceptible intent to play the man and not the ball,” said Commissioner Chito Salud in a statement posted on PBA.ph.

Espinas was seen elbowing Hodge as they were jockeying for position with less than five minutes left in the second quarter, then dropping another elbow to the face Bolts’ Fil-American forward as they fell to the floor.

But only a FFP1 was called during the game, which allowed Espinas to stay and help the Aces move on to the playoffs with a 94-91 win as he chipped in 16 points

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