PBA: Guiao fined P100,000, draws game five ban for 'dirty finger'

Guiao's infraction, according to the statement released by Commissioner Chito Salud, was for "persistent conduct unbecoming of a Coach exhibited in a manner positively indicating disrespect, if not disdain or scorn, for the league as an institution and its fans."

 

The fiery Guiao has been very vocal about allegedly poor officiating calls during the Rain or Shine-Petron semifinals series. Guiao was ejected in games three and four of the series for incurring technical fouls, including an incident where he flashed a dirty finger in the direction of the commissioner's and technical committee's table in game four. 

[Related: Fajardo drops monster numbers but team play tows Rain or Shine to 3-1 lead]
 

Assistant coach Caloy Garcia, who has taken the wheel for the Elasto Painters after Guiao's ejections, is expected to lead the team in game five this Friday versus the Petron Blaze Boosters. Rain or Shine leads the series 3-1.

 

"I would like to state unequivocally that this disciplinary sanction cannot fully convey the sense of regret of this office for the insulting and unsavory antics coach Guiao continues to display and foist on the players, the referees, his peers and the entire viewing public of the PBA, especially the youth, despite repeated well-meaning advice and counsel from this office in the past," continued Salud. "I invite him to reflect upon his responsibility to the public, the league and the rain or shine org [sic] which he represents, even as I reiterate that the PBA will fulfill its own responsibility to tirelessly uphold the principles of decency and sportsmanship."

 

The steep price ties a fine Guiao received in 2006, when he led Red Bull Barako in a walkout during a semifinals game. The franchise was ordered to pay P400,000, of which Guiao was made to pay P100,000. Incidentally, Guiao's team also played against the same Petron Blaze Boosters franchise, then still known as the San Miguel Beermen.

"Do not mislead the public"

Guiao's latest fine also comes on the heels of a string of penalties handed to players during these playoffs; Ginebra's Mark Caguioa and Alaska's Gabby Espinas were fined for unnecessary physical contact in the quarterfinals and were charged P5,000 and P20,000 respectively.

In an interview with GMA News Online, Salud said that it would be unfair to compare those fines to Guiao's hefty penalty.

"They were penalized on different grounds, so you cannot compare," he said.

Salud said he understood Guiao's concerns about the officiating. However, he pointed out that the nature of Guiao's complaints had crossed a line. "I look at the act itself and I see it as it is; what is its impact on the league, the fans, and particularly the youth. I look at it by merit, I don't look at personalities," Salud stated.

"He was suspended because of his continuous and persistent conduct unbecoming as a coach," he continued. "It's hard to officiate the game perfectly. But I agree, officiating is a public issue. That's why we're continuing to improve our officiating over the years," said Salud. "But to make it a scapegoat to justify your unsavory behavior on-court is clearly misplaced.

"He said that his flashing of the dirty finger was sign of protest against the officiating. That [protest] is part of it, but [his complaint about officiating] is not the issue. So do not mislead the public, do not misdirect our fans," he added, referring to Guiao. -AMD, GMA News