PBA: Bay Area’s Myles Powell, Hayden Blankley get huge fines for officiating remarks

Bay Area Dragons’ Hayden Blankley. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Bay Area’s Myles Powell and Hayden Blankley were slapped with hefty fines on Thursday for comments directed towards officiating following their team’s 89-82 loss to Barangay Ginebra in Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said Powell was fined P100,000 while Blankley was asked to pay P75,000 for their remarks made on social media when the Dragons fell 2-1 in the best-of-seven championship series the previous day at Mall of Asia Arena.

Both players were summoned by Marcial at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City to explain their side.

Marcial also clarified he did not summoned Dragons coach Brian Goorjian, who spent most of Game 3 arguing calls with officials but opted to comment when asked by reporters.

https://www.facebook.com/138249499535633/videos/549928087171461

Frustration was evident on the Dragons side after squandering a seven-point lead with four minutes left in the fourth quarter, prompting Powell to call out on the free throw discrepancy during the match.

Blankley, on the other hand, made a since-deleted Instagram story which he concluded by saying that “it’s cooked.”

NO IMPORT SWITCH

Bay Area import Andrew Nicholson. –PBA IMAGES

Meanwhile, Bay Area will stick with Andrew Nicholson as its import for all-important Game 4 on Friday at the same venue which will now be a must-win for the guest team from Hong Kong.

Deputy commissioner Eric Castro said that the Dragons made no intention to make a switch before the 12 noon deadline after Nicholson hurt his left ankle late in Game 3.

Dragons team manager Maya Montecillo also confirmed the non-move. Queries on the severity of Nicholson’s injury were not returned by the Bay Area official as of posting time.

Bay Area is allowed to bring back Powell under the arrangements made with the league for its guest participation in the midseason conference.