TNT Texters to protest hefty fine for walkout

Dethroned as champions and fined a hefty amount for walking out of a PBA game, the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters are not about to give up the fight. The Tropang Texters are set to protest the more-than-P1 million penalty slapped on them by the PBA, an amount which, according to TNT team manager Virgil Villavicencio, pales in comparison to those levied on two previous offenders.

“I think may kalakihan yung fine," said Villavicencio, referring to the cases of Red Bull (2006) and Añejo Rum (1990), which were meted fines of P507,000 and P500,000, respectively, for similarly walking out. “We’re going to file a protest with the PBA tomorrow (Wednesday) and ask them about the matter," he added. Barrios justifies decision But PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios justified his decision on TNT’s walkout in Game 4 of its quarterfinal series with Barangay Ginebra, a move he found "unacceptable." "In the 34-and-a-half history of the league, there were only three walkouts that happened. The first one happened about 20 years ago and at that time, there were no provisions or guidelines yet being used by the PBA. Then PBA commissioner Rudy Salud just used his discretion and elastic decision in imposing the penalty against a move which he felt was unacceptable. [This is] unacceptable because we don’t want to deprive the paying public of good basketball," he said. Likewise, during the press conference he hosted shortly after Talk ‘N Text walked out and forfeited its Game 4 quarterfinals series match versus Ginebra, Barrios explained that, based on league guidelines, the P500,000 fine is the "minimum" penalty for walking out of a game. "Any other additional fines are under the discretion of the commissioner depending on the gravity of the situation," said Barrios, who penalized the Texters with P500,000 for the forfeiture, as well as another P500,000 that would go to the Players' Educational Trust Fund. The Texters also stand to lose their share in the gate receipts and TV revenues for that particular game, which ranges from P200,000 to P250,000. The PBA commissioner also explained the difference between Red Bull’s walkout and the recent move by the Tropang Texters, justifying the disparity in penalty. "Red Bull walked out of the game three years ago, but returned to resume play," said Barrios. "On the other hand, Talk ‘N Text walked out and eventually forfeited the match. So there’s a difference between the two." A Flagrant Foul 2 called on Ranidel de Ocampo fueled Talk 'N Text's walkout with still one minute to go in the first period and the Gin Kings leading, 27-20. The Tropang Texters forfeited the match and were eventually beaten by the Gin Kings in the deciding Game 5. Not the first It was the third walkout in league history. The Robert Jaworski-mentored Ginebra, then known as Añejo, became the first team to walk out of a PBA game and did not return during Game 6 of its 1990 First Conference finals series against a Shell team bannered by Benjie Paras, Ronnie Magsanoc and import Bobby Parks. The game was forfeited and the 65ers were fined P500,000, allowing Shell to win its first PBA crown. In the 2006 Philippine Cup, Red Bull, then handled by Yeng Guiao, left the court against San Miguel Beer in the second quarter of one of its semifinals matches. The Barakos came back to the court, but were still assessed a total of fine of P507,000. - GMANews.TV