Pingris dodges suspension but fined P40,000 for hitting Sena

MERALCO import Mario West lays it up off Marc Pingris of San Mig Coffee.  INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANIL, Philippines—San Mig Coffee forward Marc Pingris on Thursday dodged suspension but was fined P40,000 for hitting Meralco’s James Sena last Tuesday.

Pingris met with PBA Commissioner Chito Salud Thursday afternoon at the league’s office in Libis, Quezon City before the penalty was handed out.

In a statement, Salud said that after a thorough review, Pingris was seen grabbing Sena’s jersey and “throwing a punch that landed on [Sena’s] lower backside.”

“This office considers such act as blatantly unnecessary, excessive, and unsportsmanlike in nature,” Salud added.

The national team standout was slapped with a flagrant foul penalty 2, which merited an automatic ejection, with 3:15 left in the second quarter in the Mixers’ 108-90 win over the Bolts.

Pingris said in an interview with PBA.ph that Sena’s hard pick hurt his left rib, which was sore from an existing injury.

“I’ve been waiting for this injury to heal for two weeks and now it’s painful again,” Pingris said in Filipino.

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