PBA’s Chris Banchero fined P20,000 for hitting Ian Sangalang during Finals Game 5

The league has just announced that Alaska Aces guard Chris Banchero must pay a P20,000 fine for hitting Ian Sangalang in the face during the last few seconds of the game. (Photo: Philippine Basketball Association/Official Website)

A few days later after his team’s loss to the Magnolia Hotshots during Game 5 of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governor’s Cup last Friday, December 14, the league has just announced that Alaska Aces guard Chris Banchero must pay a P20,000 fine for hitting Ian Sangalang in the face during the last few seconds of the game.

With 18.7 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Banchero tried to stop a Hotshot fastbreak as he caught Sangalang in the face when the Magnolia guard was going for a layup. During game proper, it was just declared a regular foul, which Sangalang happily converted into a three-point play that contributed to his team’s 79-78 victory.

Just last week, after Game 4, Banchero was also caught in the headlines, but this time, on the opposite end – as Magnolia guard Mark Barroca was fined P50,000 by the PBA board for elbowing him as they waited for a free throw during the fourth quarter. Many claimed that he should’ve been suspended, but Barroca explained that it was “just a heated game” and that the two players are friends off-court. They remain to be the only two players so far who have been sanctioned during the finals.

The commissioner explained that no suspension is to be insinuated for the players if the referees fail to spot the violation on the floor and if there is no precedent. However, he warns, “If they do it again, a flagrant foul two or an unsportsmanlike foul, then I will suspend them. It doesn’t matter [what game it is], that’s an automatic suspension”

Game 6 of the PBA Governors Cup Finals will be happening on Wednesday, December 19 at the Ynares Center, Antipolo.