Chito Salud bans hot-headed NLEX five official

PBA Image/Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines—A team official of the defending champion NLEX Road Warriors has been banned from the PBA D-League for “grave misconduct” and “serious unsportsmanlike behavior” in a game last week.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud banished NLEX liaison officer Arnel Angeles from the pro league’s farm tournament Tuesday for entering the court and kicking Big Chill player Raymond Maconocido on the head during an on-court scuffle.

“His behavior has no place in our league, let alone in sports,” Salud said in a statement. “It was absolutely unacceptable as he was not part of the apparent scuffle at all.”

Salud had reviewed the tape of the heated match where the Super Chargers stunned the Road Warriors, 85-83, last Thursday.

The incident occurred with 6:13 minutes left in the third period where Angeles was seen on tape entering the court and kicking Maconocido as players from both teams battled for the loose ball.

Angeles had also been summoned to the commissioner’s office.

Boasting a star-studded lineup, NLEX has only played three games after loaning several players to the national team in the Southeast Asian Games.

The Road Warriors, who are vying for back-to-back crowns, stand at 2-1 behind league-leaders Freego Jeans and Cebuana Lhuillier (5-1), Big Chill (4-2), Boracay Rum and Blackwater (3-2).