TNT Import Ivan Johnson. PBA IMAGES
PBA COMMISSIONER Chito Narvasa lightened Ivan Johnson’s punishment to just a season-long suspension and a P150,000 fine after the volatile Tropang TNT import apologized to him on Tuesday afternoon.
Narvasa reduced the lifetime ban of P250,000 to what it is, giving the talented but hot-headed Johnson a flicker of hope of returning to play in what he said was a league he felt he was “most welcome.”
Johnson drew Narvasa’s ire last Saturday when he was thrown out in a game against Meralco, cursing and hurling expletives at the commissioner on his way back to the locker room.
TNT management had said on Tuesday that though they appealed the original penalties and asked for Johnson to have his day in court, that the team was ready to let go of Johnson.
The name of the new import, however, remains unknown at the moment even as the Texters, the defending Commissioner’s Cup champions, return to action tomorrow at Mall of Asia Arena against GlobalPort.
Johnson appeared before Narvasa together with his wife and two kids and league officials described the meeting as very pleasant with the commissioner later on playing with Johnson’s children.
Had the ban stuck, Johnson would have become the second import banned for life after former Petron (San Miguel Beer) reinforcement Renaldo Balkman choked teammate Arwind Santos during a melee where the reed-thin Beermen was trying to pacify the hotheaded import.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao had earlier said he was glad Johnson was banned, adding that if Johnson left, it would mean “good riddance.”