PBA commish to reprimand Painters' coach Guiao

Instead of Powerade coach Bo Perasol, Rain or Shine mentor Yeng Guiao finds himself trading barbs on the sideline with PBA commissioner Chito Salud. Salud, in the light of Guiao's claims that officiating cost the Elasto Painters' loss in Game Two of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals against the Tigers, after careful review of the game tape came out with a denial Saturday that the referees were unfair in their calls during Friday night's match at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.  

The league commissioner said that the Rain or Shine coach will be severely dealt with a hefty fine for his 'unaceptabble' statements. "Coach Guiao's conduct during and after Game 2 is an unacceptable behavior most specially for a head coach and will be met with sanctions warranted under the rules of the PBA,” said Salud.  

The Painters lost Game Two against the Tigers, 121-113, as rookie Marcio Lassiter and veteran Gary David combined for 62 points in torching the opposition from the outside.  

Although Guiao doesn't question the ability of the two, he thought officiating curtailed the movement of his team.  

"We are frustated with the officiating,” Guiao said during the post-game interview. "That basically got us out of our focus. We did not shoot as well as we did in Game One but I felt we could have won it."  

"When we led by eight and threatened to break away, there are a lot of calls that needs to be reviewed. The same thing happened when we're trying to rally back in the game." But Salud vowed for the integrity of his officiating crew. "I reviewed last night's game (Saturday) and I would like to say there's absolutely no grounds for coach Guiao to say what he said last night. I believe that that game upon review was fairly and competently officiated,” Salud said.

The league commissione,r however, wants to also hear Guiao's side before deciding on his course of action against the Rain or Shine mentor. "I have to invite coach Guiao to the office on Monday to hear him out particularly after hearing what he said so that things will be clarified. After that, my position will come out,” said Salud.  

Game Three between Powerade and Rain or Shine is set Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum, with the two teams hoping to break a 1-1 deadlock. — JVP, GMA News