West escapes with just a fine

MERALCO import Mario West escaped suspension but was meted a P10,000 fine by the Office of the Commissioner for charging into the Air21 dugout moments after the Bolts stopped the Express in the Governors’ Cup eliminations Wednesday.

The prolific West also got a strong reprimand from league commissioner Chito Salud for his unsportsmanlike behavior.

“This office saw no valid and acceptable justification for such behavior, particularly in light of the appropriate action taken by the game officials who had earlier ejected (Ogie) Menor for blatant and unnecessary roughness,” Salud said in a statement.

Salud also slapped a P10,000 fine on Menor, who also served his one-game suspension last night in the Express’ clash with Powerade at presstime.

Menor was slapped a Flagrant Foul 2 violation at the 9:22 mark of the third quarter of their game on Wednesday when he chased West and hammered the import with a forearm that knocked him down.