Pingris, Ildefonso suspended for altercation with a fan Calvin Cordova Cebu Daily News
July 05, 2009
SERIES RECAP
Game 1: Ginebra 102, San Miguel 96
Game 2: San Miguel 95, Ginebra 78
Game today:
(Araneta Coliseum)
6 p.m.- San Miguel vs. Ginebra
San Miguel arguably owns the deepest bench in the PBA.
Now is the perfect time for the Beermen to dig deep into their arsenal as they try to overcome a depleted lineup when they face the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in Game Three of their best-of-seven championship showdown of the 34th PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Beermen leveled the series at two-all with a physical 95-78 win in last Friday's Game Two.
The win, however, came at a cost as Danny Ildefonso and Marc Pingris were slapped with one-game suspension after they figured in a post-game altercation with a fan.
Shortly after the final buzzer sounded, Ildefonso ran all the way to the bleacher and confronted a heckling fan. Pingris also joined the fray before the two were pacified.
Aside from the suspension, Ildefonso was also slapped with P30,000 fine while Pingris was fined P10,000.
The two were summoned by commissioner Sonny Barrios at the PBA Office yesterday where Ildefonso and Pingris apologized profusely.
The two cagers also apologized to the viewers and the fans. They also wanted to personally apologize to the fan for their acts and behavior.
"The lesson we got is that we really have to keep our composure whatever the situation is. We can't show any mental weakness. We have to be strong every step of the way. It's a given that they would have the crowd on their side," San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen told pba.ph.
Pingris' suspension is a major blow for the Beermen as he was instrumental in his team's Game Two victory where he scored 14 points, 10 coming in the pivotal fourth quarter.
Pingris also had six rebounds and was eight-for-eight from the free throw line in that game.
With Pingris and Ildefonso our, the Beermen's inside plays will heavily rely on import Gabe Freeman, Dorian Peņa, Mick Pennisi and seldom-used big men Ken Bono and Samigue Eman.
Ginebra, on the other hand, will try to capitalize with the absence of Pingris and Ildefonso as it tries to gain the upperhand once more in the series.
The Gin Kings won Game One, 102-96, before San Miguel bounced back in Game Two.
"Basically, we just came out more prepared tonight," said Tanquingcen after Game Two.
"We're mentally prepared and obviously we're able to defend better. We were badly beaten in rebounding in Game One and that's one concern we made sure to take care of," Tanquingcen added.
