PBA Commissioner Chito Salud. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine is facing a double whammy as hefty fines are set to be imposed by the PBA after the walkout Wednesday night in game 6 of the 2014 PBA Philippine Cup finals.
According to the amended PBA by-laws, a “partial walkout,” wherein a team returned to play within the time allotted, merits a P 2 million penalty while a “total walkout” is fined a whopping P10 million.
The penalties were increased after a full walkout by Talk N’ Text in 2010 in game 4 of its PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals series against Ginebra.
“The rules on walkouts, partial or otherwise, are clear and we will enforce them accordingly,” league commissioner Chito Salud in a statement released on Thursday.
A foul called against JR Quinahan with 11:37 in the second period and the Elastopainters down 17-30 triggered the incident.
Rain or Shine headed to the dugout at the Smart Araneta Coliseum shortly after.
But Rain or Shine returned to the court a few minutes later after Salud, PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial huddled with the franchise’s team owner Raymund Yu just outside the dugout.
The Elastopainters, though, sprung to life after and managed to trim a 17-point deficit to six by halftime. They even took the driver’s seat late in the third quarter, 65-62, on a triple by Paul Lee.
But Rain or Shine ultimately yielded the All-Filipino Cup crown to the Mixers after a 87-93 defeat.
“I don’t want one thing to be lost in all these – my respect and admiration for the players of both teams who gave it all for the game and the fans. I commend them. They are a credit to the sport and they did the PBA proud,” Salud said.
The PBA summoned Rain or Shine Governor Mert Mondragon and team manager Boy Lapid for Thursday, but the Elastopainters’ management requested it be moved to Friday at 10 a.m.
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