Alvin Padilla and Hans Thiele of Kia Sorento (dark) vs Anthony Semerad of Globalport Batang Pier (light). NUKI SABIO/PBA
MANILA, Philippines—Roll out the welcoming mat, kick away the sneakers and just go at it.
In what seemed as a physical contest from the start, one player just put the emphasis on the word “physical.”
Richard Alonzo of Kia Sorento and Anthony Semerad of GlobalPort Batang Pier figured in a pushing match during a loose ball situation. In a physical altercation, the two players ended on the floor with Alonzo launching several elbows and a punch or two on rookie Semerad with 48.7 seconds left in the first quarter.
Alonzo, a battle-hardened veteran who has been in the league since 2006, just had to smile and demonstrate to his teammates what happened.
Semerad, fresh from his NCAA title and Finals Most Valuable Player performance, had to ponder what part of the human skeletal system hit him.
Both, though, got whistled with a technical foul but Semerad may smile a little wider as his team notched the 84-79 victory.
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