GAME 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals clash between TNT and Rain or Shine last Sunday night saw a highly physical and emotional duel that raised serious questions from true-blue fans.
Did the combatants cross the thin line of what is allowed in the sport based on rules, or did they play dirty?
Several technical fouls, including a pair of flagrant foul penalty 1s, were slapped on the Tropang 5G.
Technical fouls were earlier called against TNT coach Chot Reyes and Mike Nieto and F1s on Glen Khobuntin and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.
Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao is convinced those are just normal and part of the game—unless it becomes intentional.
“Accidents happen. We can accept that. We play physical minsan, mayroon kaming ganoon, pero without any malice naman,” Guiao said after his troops finally got one over their foes 107-86 and sliced their series deficit to 1-2. “I felt there’s room for physical and rugged play, but it’s really iyong puwedeng maka-injure or maka-damage sa career ng player.
“Or kung hindi man, ang laking bagay iyong mawala siya sa iyo ng dalawa or tatlong laro. Baka mamaya tapos na iyon series noon,” he added.
The fiery Guiao was also assessed a technical after confronting Khobuntin following a hard foul on Gian Mamuyac in the third quarter.
The fourth match of the race-to-4 battle is set tomorrow at the Mall of Asia Arena with grand slam-seeking TNT gunning for a 3-1 lead and inching closer to the Big Dance.
For Rain or Shine, a second straight victory, likely still without gunner Roger Pogoy, will not only knot the semis but will give them a big momentum.
The Painters do not mind engaging their opponents in a grind-out and give-everything-on-the-line showdown.
“Those things happen. But you really want to protect your players, especially kung nandito ka na, malaki iyong chance na maka-advance ka,” Guiao said.
“It’s really about the preservation of your personnel.”
