MERALCO survived a late-game scare from Talk ‘N Text, holding on for an 88-84 win for its second straight win in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena.
But the Bolts’ 2-0 start was overshadowed by the lifetime ban handed by PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa to Tropang Texters import Ivan Johnson.
Johnson was ejected in the game at the 4:21 mark of the second period after his Flagrant Foul 1 on Meralco’s Bryan Faundo. It was his second technical foul after hitting Kelly Nabong in the face in the first period. But before leaving the court, Johnson threw profanities to Narvasa, who stood up to confront the Talk ‘N Text import, but was restrained by Media Bureau Chief Willy Marcial.
Even before the second half of the match started, the league issued a statement, handing a lifetime ban on Johnson and asking him to pay the P250,000 fine. Johnson joined the company of Renaldo Balkman and Daniel Orton, who were banned by the league in recent years. Balkman was given the punishment for choking his San Miguel Beer teammate Arwind Santos, while Orton was given the same sanction for issuing comments that were disparaging, disrespectful and offensive to the league.
Orton, then playing for the Star in 2015 Commissioner’s Cup, criticized the officiating and described Manny Pacquiao playing in the PBA a “big joke.” The ban of Balkman and Orton happened under former league Commissioner Chito Salud.
“Wow,” was the reaction of Bolts Head Coach Norman Black upon learning the decision of Narvasa to ban Johnson immediately. Despite playing without Johnson, who just joined the Tropang Texters after serving a one-game suspension for punching Blackwater’s JP Erram and Frank Golla in a tune-up game, Talk ‘N Text managed to stay close behind Jayson Castro.
But the Bolts drew clutch baskets from import Arinze Onuaku and needed a huge defensive stop from Cliff Hodge to seal the win for Meralco.
Hodge led the Bolts with 15 points, while Onuaku and Jared Dillinger added 14 each. Castro had a game-high 25 points for the Tropang Texters, who dropped to 1-1.