Blackwater coach Jeffrey Cariaso (File photo from PBA Images)
MANILA – In a rare moment for a preseason game, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) slapped Blackwater coach Jeffrey Cariaso for his actions in a recent clash against Converge.
Cariaso "fouled" Aljun Melecio while the latter was going for a fastbreak attack during the second quarter of the game in protest of a no-call in which the referees failed to call a foul on Jeo Ambohot while trying to stop Tyrus Hill.
The FiberXers did not like Cariaso's actions on Melecio, which reportedly aggravated his calf injury, and confronted their former coach, but cooler heads prevailed and the game continued with the Bossing eventually winning.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said he summoned Cariaso inside the PBA office, and Marcial also said that Cariaso apologized for his actions.
"Inaamin naman niya ang ginawa niya, so sabi ko hindi na pwedeng maulit yun. Pipinahan natin yun. Aminado naman siya, so humingi ng sorry at inaamin niya na kasalanan niya (He confessed his actions, so I told him not to do it again. We will fine him. He admitted to his mistake, so he said sorry and he said it was his fault)," Marcial said.
Oftentimes, any heated moment during tune-up games would get a pass, but Marcial said that Cariaso's gestures were too harsh even for just a preseason matchup.
"Bihira akong mag-fine sa exhibition, pero yung ginawa niya, medyo di maganda. So pipinahan natin (I rarely slap a fine during exhibition, but what he did was slightly detrimental. So we will fine him)," Marcial said, although the fine will be announced at a later date.
He then announced that the officiating crew during the preseason game would be suspended too after it was confirmed that a foul should have been called on Ambohot.
Marcial did not disclose how long the suspension will last, but he hinted that the ban could be for more than one cycle, that is, more than three games they are supposed to officiate. (PNA)
