Assistant coach of team Magnolia, Johnny Abarrientos was immediately penalized and fined PHP 10K soon after he flashed the obscene gesture of a dirty finger to team Converge’s import Jamaal Frankin during Sunday’s Governors’ Cup doubleheader at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Willie Marcial showed immediate remorse for the incident and this also happened to be broadcasted on live television. Johnny Abarrientos was among the top-ranking players back in the day. Marcial shared that, “He was saying sorry several times,” during a phone interview with the press.
“Sabi ko ‘wag na lang inya ulitin ‘yung dirty finger,” Marcial added. “Magkausap kami kanina and very apologetic naman siya, may remorse. Pero may fine ‘yun na 10k.”
Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots was the last team to win the Governors’ Cup outside Barangay Ginebra in the last five years saw its loss with team Converge FiberXers , 111-109.
Asked for any reaction or feedback from Franklin on the incident, he revealed that he was largely unbothered by the episode. He has been a former NBA veteran who consistently gave a stellar performance to help team Converge see two of its last three wins at the start of the tournament.
“I think they were a little mad on the three I took while I got to three fouls. But that had nothing to do with me. That’s with the ref,” he said on the heels of a 26-point and 13-rebound performance.
Showing an excellent attitude and character, he still was able to pay compliments to the opposing team.
“I and the coaches have no problems. I tip my hat off to them,” Franklin added of the Hotshots who pulled within 111-109 with 30 ticks left in the contest.
“They have a good team. They have a real, real coach, a great system and they play really well together.”
Team Converge has now seized the solo top spot with a perfect 3-0 record.
Emotions shouldn’t get the best of us. Hopefully, Abarrientos will recover from this outburst and he has been one of the cooler heads back in the day when he was still one of the basketball players. Kudos to Franklin who was able to show more objectivity on the matter. Would the PHP 10K fine be enough to set an example though? Let us know your insights on this folks. Just comment below and hope to hear from you soon!
