Players and team officials of the San Mig Coffee Mixers celebrate at the Smart Araneta Coliseum after winning the PBA Philippine Cup crown last Wednesday. The fifth-ranked Coffee Mixers defeated the second-ranked Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 4-2, in the finals, capped off with an impressive 93-87 win in Game 6. (INQUIRER)
After losing to San Mig in PH Cup Finals, Rain or Shine to pay up for ‘partial walkout’
Rain or Shine is facing a double whammy as hefty fines are set to be imposed by the PBA after the walkout Wednesday night in game 6 of the 2014 PBA Philippine Cup finals.
According to the amended PBA by-laws, a “partial walkout,” wherein a team returns to play within the time allotted, merits a P2 million penalty while a “total walkout” is fined a whopping P10 million.
The penalties were increased after a full walkout by Talk N’ Text in 2010 in game 4 of its PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals series against Ginebra.
“The rules on walkouts, partial or otherwise, are clear and we will enforce them accordingly,” league commissioner Chito Salud in a statement released yesterday.
A foul called against Cebuano JR Quinahan with 11:37 in the second period and the Elastopainters down 17-30 triggered the incident.
Rain or Shine headed to the dugout at the Smart Araneta Coliseum shortly after.
But Rain or Shine returned to the court a few minutes later after Salud and PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial huddled with the franchise’s team owner Raymund Yu just outside the dugout.
The Elasto Painters, though, sprung to life after and managed to trim a 17-point deficit to six by halftime. They even took the driver’s seat late in the third quarter, 65-62, on a triple by Paul Lee.
But Rain or Shine ultimately yielded the All-Filipino Cup crown to the Mixers after a 87-93 defeat.
“I don’t want one thing to be lost in all these – my respect and admiration for the players of both teams who gave it all for the game and the fans. I commend them. They are a credit to the sport and they did the PBA proud,” Salud said.
The PBA summoned Rain or Shine Governor Mert Mondragon and team manager Boy Lapid yesterday, but the Elastopainters’ management requested it be moved to today at 10 a.m.