Gilas Pilipinas Basketball

There was a fighting incident at the San Mig Coffee Mixers vs Globalport Batang Pier game between Marc Pingris of San Mig Coffee and Kelly Nabong of Globalport, and also with Joe Devance and Marvin Hayes.

Marc Pingris vs Kelly Nabong fight by InterAKTV

3 of those involved got a suspension and all were fined by the Office of the Commissioner. Pingris and Nabong both with a 2 game suspension and P60,000 fine.

Here’s the official statement by PBA Commissioner Chito Salud as posted by @pbaconnect

Comm. Chito Salud re Marc Pingris, Kelly Nabong, Joe Devance, Marvin Hayes and the San Mig Coffee-GlobalPort incident:

Upon review of the incident in the San Mig Coffee – GlobalPort game of September 4, 2013 and after meeting with the players involved, the Office of the Commissioner is meting out the following sanctions:
1. Marvin Hayes is fined P20,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct, equivalent to a flagrant foul penalty 2,for elbowing and kneeing import Marqus Blakely on the floor after a foul had already been called.
2. Kelly Nabong is suspended for 2 games and fined P 60,000 for attacking import Marqus Blakely and exchanging blows with Marc Pingris.
3. Marc Pingris is suspended for 2 games and fined P60,000 for fighting and engaging Kelly Nabong in an exchange of blows.
4. Joe Devance is suspended for 1 game and fined P30,000 for triggering the commotion that led to the fight between Kelly Nabong and Marc Pingris.
Fighting will not be condoned by the league. There is absolutely no justification for our players to get involved in fistfights. Strong emphasis is being placed on this policy so much so that those who dare to trigger fights will be dealt with accordingly.

With this, it should be clear to everyone that instigators, hotheads and troublemakers have no place in the PBA and will be dealt with severely. Instigators also deserve special mention, especially those not even directly involved in the immediate action. They too will have to bear a heavy price for their act. Finally, I want to remind our players that long after sanctions have been served, your overall conduct’s impression on our youth will continue to last. Be more circumspect in the future. Our players’ responsibility of role modelling, particularly to our youth, is sacrosanct in the PBA.