Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao doubts whether the Philippine Basketball Association has what it takes to impose penalties against injured TNT Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
Guiao and the Governors’ Cup import figured in a verbal altercation during Friday’s game involving Rain or Shine and TNT right at the back of the Elasto Painters’ bench.
Rain or Shine prevailed, 119-112, assuring itself a seat in the quarterfinal round, but the victory was marred by the Guiao and Hollis-Jefferson incident.
“I don’t know how they will sanction him if he’s not officially in the lineup,” Guiao, a seven-time PBA champion coach said in a Viber message.
Hollis-Jefferson is not on the TNT roster after sustaining a neck injury on 20 December during the team’s game against the Fubon Braves in the East Asian Super League.
His spot was taken over by his brother Rahlir, who had a 50-point performance versus the Elasto Painters.
Rondae said he was just trying to protest the referee’s call as a fan that’s why he found himself over at Rain or Shine’s area.
“The last game against Ginebra, I was told to get off the bench because I’m not on the official roster,” Rondae said. “So therefore, I’m a fan.”
“Therefore, as a fan, I can move wherever I want. I was upset at the ref’s call, so I followed him.”
But Guiao swears that Rondae’s excuse is not entirely valid.
He believes the import overstepped.
“If he was considered an ordinary fan, he should have been escorted out of the venue. An ordinary fan cannot behave the way he did subject to the conditions of the ticket sale.”
“But obviously, he’s not an ordinary fan since he’s under payroll of TNT and acted as part of the team. He has no excuse nor (any) business invading our team’s “safe place.”
