By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) announced that they will be handing TNT Tropang Giga’s head coach Chot Reyes a 50,000-peso fine after an outburst to the game officials during their 94-92 defeat to the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok.
After the end-game buzzer, the nationally televised game showed Reyes rushing to the official’s table complaining about something.
The PBA Commissioner’s Office then confirmed that Reyes not only confronted the game officials but also used profane language on his way out of the playing venue.
The two infractions summed up Reyes’ 50k-peso fine who complained about the referee’s call on Calvin Oftana when he was whistled for a foul that led to Paul Lee’s two game-winning free throws.
“The Office of Commissioner will fine Coach Chot for 50K for crossing the court to confront the game officials and the technical table,” read the PBA’s statement.
With nine seconds left in the ball game and things tied up at 92-all, Lee sized up TNT’s towering import Cameron Oliver and decided to attack him but Oftana was caught reaching in.
As the PBA flashed the official video playback on the screen, the game official on the left sideline immediately blew his whistle the moment Oftana slapped Lee’s hand.
The Tropang Giga had one last chance to win the game or force overtime with 4.3 seconds left but Magnolia successfully defended TNT’s attempt for a hail mary.
Magnolia had been trailing since the first quarter and only got back the lead during the 6:43 mark of the final frame courtesy of Nick Racocevic’s sweeping hook shot.
Despite the loss, the Tropang Giga still drew some positives when they nearly beat the Hotshots without the presence of Poy Erram, Jason Castro, Mikey Williams, Ryan Reyes, Brian Heruela, and Glenn Khobuntin.
Aside from Reyes, TNT’s team manager and PBA legend Jojo Lastimosa was also fined 20,000 pesos for also confronting the officials and the technical table after the game.
