Word war heats up between BK coach, SBP exec

The word war between Burger King coach Yeng Guiao and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala intensified after the multi-tilted mentor accused the SBP-backed developmental squad of allegedly giving the game to Talk ‘N Text.

The Tropang Texters bamboozled Gilas, 103-70, on Oct. 21 minus stars Chris Tiu and big man Rabeh Al-Hussaini with American import CJ Giles, who is being groomed for naturalization, being fielded for five minutes and was not his usual scoring self after receiving news that his four-year son had been diagnosed with a life-threatening blood disorder. PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios, on Thursday, decided to alter instead the arrangement of Gilas' participation in the season-opening meet, rendering all their games – past and future – as no-bearing, instead of not allowing big man CJ Giles to see action in the team’s remaining games Talk ‘N Text is owned by telecommunications mogul Manny V. Pangilinan, who is also bankrolling Gilas’ bid of earning a slot in the 2012 London Olympics. Guiao, who was accused by Eala and Gilas Serbian coach Rajko Toroman of playing “dirty" against the young members of the national developmental pool, said the SBP exec is diverting the issue. “Nagpapatambak and Gilas ng mahigit sa (Gilas got beaten by more than) 30 points and made the game so easy for TalK ‘N Text. Tapos hindi mo gagamitin import mo. Hindi ba game fixing yun? (Then you’re not going to use your. Isn’t that game fixing?) That’s the real issue to look into," said Guiao. The fiery mentor’s comments came after Eala and Toroman claimed that Burger King played “dirty" against the young members of the national developmental pool, which is playing as a guest squad in the PBA Philippine Cup. “Physical games are (different) from rough games and rough games different from dirty games. BK was downright dirty and wicked (versus) Gilas," Eala entered in his Twitter account. The former PBA commissioner also hinted that he thinks that Guiao instructed his players to “hurt" the Gilas players. “Players (especially) a rookie like (Ronnie) Matias will not commit flagrant fouls lest he knows di sya papagalitan (he won’t get reprimanded by his coach)." Eala posted his comments on Twitter during Burger King’s game against Gilas where Whopper guard Wynne Arboleda attacked Alain Katigbac, a fan of the RP developmental team that verbally abused and heckled the burly playmaker the entire match. “PBA players have no right to attack a fan, no matter the provocation. And this is the third time in less than a year at the PBA? What's going on? I have never seen a game with four flagrant fouls on one team in one half. Then an attack on a fan. You think this happened by chance?" Eala Twitted. Guiao downplayed Eala’s comments. “Games here are physical and if you can’t endure it, this is not the right place for you. My instruction to my players was to play physical, but not dirty. When you go out and play internationally, mas physical ang game dun because they allow those bangings (International games are more physical because they really allow you to bang bodies)," said Guiao. Arboleda, who was banned for the rest of the season as a result for attacking Katigbac, and PBA courtside reporter Patricia Bermudez-Hizon supported Guiao’s statements. Bermudez-Hizon, wife of former PBA superstar Vince and the courtside reporter during the BK-Gilas game, explained during the House Games and Amusement committee hearing presided by Rep. Amado Bagatsing (5th District Manila) that her job allows her access inside the team’s locker rooms thus hearing every instruction of coaches. – GMANews.TV