MANILA -- Phoenix winger Calvin Abueva was handed a hefty sanction following two separate sequences that took place over the weekend in the PBA Commissioner's Cup.
On Friday night, Abueva was seen going overboard in a confrontation with Maika Rivera, the girlfriend of Blackwater rookie Ray-Ray Parks, after he was fouled out, hurling an invective and doing a lewd gesture in front of her.
Two nights later, Abueva did a clothesline on TNT import Terrence Jones and was sent off after said move was ruled a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2.
In a statement on Tuesday night, Commissioner Willie Marcial slapped Abueva with an indefinite suspension plus a PHP70,000 fine for the said actions.
Marcial explained that he made the verdict "to instill discipline and maintain professionalism in the league."
The statement added that the commissioner "can no longer allow Abueva to continue with his offensive and obnoxious on-court behavior against the fans and his fellow players, which the fiery player is known for."
Marcial then stated that he may lift the ban sooner than expected, but "it will all depend on how and when Abueva makes an apology to those whom he has offended, and how he will henceforth reform in his ways."
That was not the only bad news the Fuel Masters received as their head coach, Louie Alas, will miss their next two games due to the suspension handed to him by Marcial.
Alas was seen shoving David Semerad while trying to pacify matters between him and Abueva early into Phoenix's showdown with TNT.
The act was considered a flagrant misconduct, and Alas was ejected from the game and eventually handed with the two-game ban plus a total of PHP40,000 fine, PHP20,000 for the shove and another PHP20,000 for statements detrimental to the league.
Semerad and twin brother Anthony were slapped with PHP40,000 fines each for their role in the commotion, while Jayson Castro and Jason Perkins were meted a PHP1,000 fine each for a precedent to the said scuffle, a verbal altercation between each other.
Jones was not spared of sanctions as he was fined PHP70,000 in total, PHP50,000 for hitting Abueva in the groin that led to the latter's retaliation and another PHP20,000 for physical contact on an official.
Even the KaTropa's assistant team manager, Miguel Fernandez, was slapped with a PHP10,000 for going to the technical table unauthorized.
Referee Bing Oliva, who missed out on Jones's groin hit, was slapped with a suspension that will run for 10 playdates. (PNA)
