Photo: PBA Images

By Art Ramirez

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner's Office has fined Calvin Abueva P20,000 for his remarks about officiating after Converge's game against Barangay Ginebra on Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed the sanction that was handed after he met with Abueva at his office on Monday.

Abueva was given a penalty after he made remarks about the officiating as he exited the court of the Smart-Araneta Coliseum following Converge's 99-93 loss to Barangay Ginebra.

Photo: PBA Images

Abueva was caught shouting “apat silang paldo”, obviously referring to the four referees that were assigned to the game.

Abueva also posted the letter given to him by Marcial.

“Immediately following the final buzzer of the game, while on your way to your team's locker room, you were recorded by members of the media shouting ‘paldo ang 4 na referees.’ The said short video immediately went viral on social media.”

“Such malicious and unfounded accusations against our referees cannot go unpunished. Your irresponsible statement is tantamount to conduct detrimental to the best interests of the league,” wrote Marcial.