PBA IMAGES
After a failed semifinals bid, TNT and Glen Rice Jr. are ending things on a sour note.
The TNT managed has slapped a hefty $10,000 (P500,000) fine on the volatile import for his “undesirable, unprofessional, unruly and unsportsmanlike” behavior in the team’s 115-105 loss to Ginebra in the PBA Governors’ Cup semis last Sunday.
In a statement released on Wednesday, TNT said Rice’s attitude which got him thrown out with 1:41 left in the opening quarter of Game 4 was constituted a “willful violation and breach of his contract.”
READ: TNT import Rice ejected early in Game 4
The 26-year-old son of NBA great Glen Rice threw the ball at Ginebra rookie Kevin Ferrer and continued to engaged in trash talk he was ejected for incurring a flagrant foul penalty one and a technical.
He was seen taunting Ginebra fans on his way to the dugout and instead of waiting for game to finish inside his team’s locker room, he immediately left Smart Araneta Coliseum.
READ: Ferrer on Rice ejection: ‘I didn’t do anything’
TNT also added that Rice’s behavior has affected the “wholesome” image of the KaTropa and the reputation of the PLDT group, which is owned by Manny V. Pangilinan.
“Mr. Rice, as a professional player, promised to comply with all the Team’s rules and regulations and to act or conduct himself in a gentlemanly manner at all times so as to project a totally wholesome image for the Team and the PLDT Group,” the statement also read.
Rice, who flew out of the country Tuesday night, was earlier ordered to pay P26,000 by the PBA for his ejection.
The total amount of fines will be deducted from his final payday with TNT.