Pingris has no regrets about flagrant foul while Guiao pushes for heftier penalty

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

Marc Pingris, B-MEG’s emotional leader, failed to keep his temper in check as the Llamados lost to Rain or Shine in Game Four of the Governors’ Cup finals.

Pingris, who was named to the league’s All-Defensive Team earlier in the evening, was called for a flagrant foul penalty one for head-butting Ryan Arana in the fourth quarter.

“Hindi ko pinagsisihan yung ginawa ko sa kanya. Barumbado kasi siya dumepensa,” said Pingris, who was reacting to a hard foul given to him by the Rain or Shine swingman.

“Nagdilim na kasi paningin ko. Masakit yung batok ko dahil sa ginawa ni Arana. Gumanti ako kasi hindi naman pwedeng tatangap na lang kami ng tatanggap. Yung foul kasi na binibigay nila sa amin, may kasamang pananakit.”

But Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said Pingris got off easy, and said the B-MEG forward should have been called for a flagrant foul penalty two, which would lead to an ejection from the game.

“Head butt is not allowed in boxing, what more in basketball?” said Guiao.

“I’m very surprised he was not given an F2. You don’t thrust your head on somebody. Bakit mo ipapasok yung ulo mo sa ulo ng iba? Sabi ng referee tumama muna sa dibdib yung ulo kaya hindi tinawagan ng F2. But head butting in basketball? The rules should be applied.”

The flagrant foul on Pingris can be changed to a penalty two based on a review, said PBA operations head Rickie Santos.

In the 2007-08 Philippine Cup between Purefoods and Sta. Lucia, a flagrant foul penalty one by James Yap on Joseph Yeo was upgraded to a flagrant foul penalty two after a review by the league. Yap was suspended in the next game.

However, the league has since changed its rules, as penalty two flagrant fouls no longer carry an automatic suspension.

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