Johnson banned for life, fined P250k

TNT Import Ivan Johnson. PBA IMAGES

IVAN Johnson finally made the first appearance in his second tour of duty with Tropang TNT last night and, in less than 16 minutes, made it his last PBA game.

The volatile import was banned by the league for life after cursing commissioner Chito Narvasa on the way out of the PhilSports Arena floor late in the second quarter, having been thrown out for a second technical foul for rough play in an 84-88 TNT loss to Meralco in the Commissioner’s Cup.

In what could be the swiftest decision by any commissioner, Narvasa handed out the ban even before the game’s outcome was decided, with media bureau head Willie Marcial issuing a statement to media.

“For addressing the commissioner with utter profanities and showing utter disrespect for authority, Tropang TNT import Ivan Johnson has been banned from the PBA and fined P250,000,” said the statement.

TNT management, meanwhile, questioned the lack of due process in the case.

Former Petron (San Miguel Beer) import Renaldo Balkman also received a similar ban after assaulting teammate Arwind Santos during a game. Balkman, however, got to to air his side in front of then commissioner Chito Salud before he was banned.

After getting ejected because of a flagrant foul 1 and a second technical for hitting Bryan Faundo in the face, Johnson reportedly hurled expletives at Narvasa on the way to the dugout.

Johnson having brushes with league personalities is not new. Last season, he was fined a P150,000 for bumping Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao in the title series. He was also banned for life in the Korean pro league in 2010 for similar incidents.

Guiao later said about the ban: “Good riddance.”

“He’s a world-class a**hole,” Guiao told reporters.

After learning of the ban, Johnson posted on twitter account @ivan_johnson44 that the “devil is working overtime.”

“The fines I have gotten have never been handed out to nobody,” Johnson posted. “Why the hate against me?”