PBA fines Air21’s Reyes for hitting, trash-talking Abueva

MANILA, Philippines — The referee might have missed a clear foul on forward Rob Reyes in Air21’s 104-103 win against Calvin Abueva last week, but the PBA Commissioner’s office wasn’t going to let it go.

PBA Commissioner Chito Salud on Saturday slapped Reyes with a flagrant foul penalty one for his deliberate contact with rookie Abueva and was fined a sum of P10,000.

The fine was also for trashtalking and taunting the rookie, as Salud came up with the decision after summoning Reyes.

“Reyes’ acts are aggravated by the fact that they were unnecessarily committed when play had already shifted away from both players,” said Salud in a statement.

Just as Reyes was about to stand up after crashing to the floor along with Abueva, he stretched his hand and quickly hit the rookie — who was lying down on the floor — straight in the face.

Abueva grimaced in pain as he held on to his nose for a few seconds before standing up and going back to hustle — even eventually getting a defensive stop.

Salud suspended referee Jimmy Mariano for four game days for the non-call with just a minute left, with the game tied at 102.

“Whiile the illegal acts escaped the attention of the game officials resulting in a non-call, I am exercising the Commissioner’s authority to sanction players who upon playback and review are deemed to have committed a dangerous play,” Salud added.

Salud also reminded the players that, though physicality cannot be avoided in basketbal, dirty rough plays have no place on the court and in the game.

“…Refrain from needlessly exposing other players, along with themselves, to serious injury and undue hurt through intentional and blatantly dirty and rough play,” said Salud.