Alaska Aces. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
In true Alaska fashion, Vic Manuel said that some of the Aces are chipping in to help their penalized teammates pay for the necessary fines after the scuffle in Game 2 of the Alaska-GlobalPort semifinals series last Wednesday.
“Sinabi sa amin kahapon nila boss Dickie (Bachmann), coach Jeff (Cariaso), at team captain Tony (Dela Cruz) na pagtutulung-tulungan nila (yung fine). magbibigay sila para mapababa yung babayaran namin na fine,” he said.
Calvin Abueva was meted out with the P41,600 fine after he was deemed as the “instigator” of the fracas. Manuel had the next biggest fine with P11,600, while Dondon Hontiveros had to pay P1,000 for his technical foul.
READ: Over P90K in fines handed out by PBA for Alaska-GlobalPort scuffle
Cariaso, together with head coach Alex Compton, and fellow deputies Louie Alas and Monch Gavieres were penalized P5,000 each for entering the court.
Manuel admitted that the team were caught off guard with the worth of the fine, but the whole team gave their share to help their hardworking forwards some relief in paying the penalty.
“Nagbigay naman sila kanina, pero ewan ko kung magkano yun,” he said. “Kulang pa rin yun, pero ang matitira, sasagutin na namin.”
READ: PBA: Abueva surprised to get technical foul for sticking tongue out
The penalties, though, did not let that distract the from pummeling the Batang Pier, 82-69, to take Game 3 of their best-of-7 semifinals series on Friday. The PSBA standout led Alaska with 16 points and five rebounds in the win.
“Ok lang sa amin yung nangyari kasi ang focus namin is makabawi sa Game 3 at makuha namin,” Manuel said. “Yung fines, magbabayad kami, pero focus lang talaga kami sa game kasi kailangan namin ito eh.”
The win also saw Alaska frustrate super scorer Terrence Romeo, limiting him to only 17 points, capped off by his ejection midway in the fourth quarter.
READ: PBA: Washington calls Abueva’s shenanigans ‘dirty’
Manuel said that Alaska knows Romeo’s importance for the Batang Pier, that’s why the Aces guards, led by Ping Exciminiano, RJ Jazul, Chris Banchero, and JVee Casio all took turns in stopping the spitfire slasher.
“Kailangan namin trabahuin sya kaya talagang focus lang kami sa depensa sa kanya,” he said, highlighting the biggest asset which made Alaska a successful team this conference. “Tulong-tulong talaga kami.”