Yeng Guiao suspended for 1 game, slapped with hefty fine

Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao was slapped with a one-game suspension and a P100,000 fine by the PBA Office Wednesday for his persistent misconduct.

Guiao met with league Commissioner Chito Salud Wednesday morning after the fiery coach was sent out of the court for two consecutive matches in Game 3 and Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals with both times due to profane use of language.

“Following this morning’s meeting with Coach Yeng Guiao regarding his use of a dirty finger pointed toward the commissioner’s and tech committee table, this Office hereby metes out on Coach Guiao the penalty of one (1) game suspension and a fine of one hundred thousand pesos (P 100,000.00) for persistent conduct unbecoming of a Coach exhibited in a manner positively indicating disrespect, if not disdain or scorn, for the league as an institution and its fans,” said Salud in a statement.

“I would like to state unequivocally that this disciplinary sanction cannot fully convey the sense of regret of this Office for the insulting and unsavoury antics Coach Guiao continues to display and foist on the players, the referees, his peers and the entire viewing public of the PBA, especially the youth, despite repeated well-meaning advice and counsel from this Office in the past,” the statement read.

During Rain or Shine’s 33-point blowout at the hands of Petron in Game 3 last Saturday, Guiao directly flashed a middle finger right at the Boosters’ Arwind Santos’ face after the reigning MVP fell towards the Painters’ bench late in the third quarter.

Guiao, who had earlier picked up a technical foul, was immediately sent out of the court with 1:36 remaining.

It was an attempt, Guiao said, he made to somewhat fire up his team, which was already down big at that time.

“I took the risk but nothing happened,” Guiao, who had been expressing disagreement towards the officiating through four games in the semis, said with a laugh after a 73-106 loss in Game 3. “We were already losing at that time and it was a gamble on my part, just change the conditions of the game in the hope of making something happen.”

In Rain or Shine’s Game 4 win, Guiao again was seen making use of a dirty finger as he was walking towards his team’s dugout after being ejected for picking up his second technical foul early in the third quarter.

“First half the refs gave 24 free throws to Petron, I thought there were a lot of bad calls. Any team made up of softer material would have folded up,” Guiao pointed out after an 88-83 victory last Monday.

“I invite him to reflect upon his responsibility to the public, the league and the Rain or Shine organization which he represents, even as I reiterate that the PBA will fulfill its own responsibility to tirelessly uphold the principles of decency and sportsmanship,” Salud added.

Guiao won’t be at the ROS sidelines when the Painters go for a second straight PH Cup Finals appearance Friday against the Petron Blaze Boosters in Game 5.

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