PBA: No suspensions, but Baguio, Abueva, and others draw fines for rough play

In a decision that could swing the seven-game series between the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters and the Alaska Aces, PBA commissioner Chito Salud opted not to suspend Aces shooting guard Cyrus Baguio, Thursday. Baguio was however slapped with a 30,000 peso fine for what was deemed as an "'unnecessary and excessive" foul, while several other players from both teams were also hit with monetary punishment. 

The two teams had figured in a highly physical game three in their best-of-seven semifinals series, Wednesday at the SM MOA Arena, which the Texters eventually won, 93-79, allowing the reigning back-to-back Philippine Cup champs to take a 2-1 lead.

Baguio was whistled for a flagrant foul - 2 for a forearm on Jayson Castro with 5:59 remaining in the game. The high-scoring Alaska guard tried to chase down the speedy Castro as he was going for a fast break lay-up. Castro fell on the floor and stayed there for several minutes after taking the hard foul from Baguio.

The Office of the PBA Commissioner released the following statement, allowing Baguio to play in the crucial fourth game of their semifinal series against the Tropang Texters:

"After carefully reviewing the FFP2 called on Cyrus Baguio and weighing his explanation of the circumstances leading to the flagrant foul, this office is upholdibng the flagrant foul called on him and is fining him the amt. of P30,000.00 no suspension is being meted out in this particular case after taking into consideration Baguio's explanation that he was indeed going to give Jason Castro a hard foul but realized at the last instant that he no longer had the chance to play for the ball. He tried to check himself but it was already too late to avoid the resulting contact. A close look at the replay confirmed Baguio's narration. There was no blatant follow through of Baguio's arm as it hit Castro's face. It was decidedly sheer momentum on his part that largely caused the hard contact on Castro. Nonetheless, this office stands by the FFP2 call for being unnecessary and excessive and fines Baguio"

Alaska rookie Calvin Abueva also escaped suspension, despite being ejected from the game at the 6:45 mark of the fourth quarter. Abueva was called for a technical foul for hitting Castro in the neck. Coupled with an earlier flagrant foul - 1 in the third quarter, the 2012 second overall pick was forced into an early exit.

Aces head coach Luigi Trillo Wednesday night was against the league slapping ejections on his players, saying, "Cyrus [Baguio] gave a duty foul and he hit Jayson [Castro] with his forearm, and not a closed fist.

"Calvin [Abeuva] has been hit left and right and no one has been suspended for it," Trillo added. "I'd put the pressure on them [the officials] and see what they're going to do. I'm going to be shocked if they suspend Cyrus [Baguio]."

Aside from Baguio, five other players were given fines for their actions in the heated ball game. Abueva was fined 7,400 for the technical and flagrant fouls while teammate Gabby Espinas was given a 5,000 fine for his flagrant foul. Alaska center Sonny Thoss, and TNT mainstays Jared Dillinger, and Kelly Williams were also slapped with 1,000 peso fines for technical fouls called on them for second motion.

Neither side was pleased with the officiating, with Talk 'N Text mentor Norman Black saying, "I was not happy with the officiating in the last games, but we just have to keep playing.

"As much as possible, we should just try not to lose our focus." - Carlo L. Pamintuan / AMD, GMA News