Magnolia assistant coach Johnny Abarrientos flashed a dirty finger against Converge import Jamaal Franklin
JOHNNY ABARRIENTOS – The assistant coach of Magnolia Hotshots is expected to be fined by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) for flashing dirty finger at Converge import Jamaal Franklin.
During their Governors’ Cup game on Sunday night, January 29, 2023, Abarrientos made an obscene gesture by flashing his middle finger against Franklin after the import hit a clutch three-pointer to give the FiberXers a 111-105 lead with 1:05 remaining in the game.
Abarrientos did not like Franklin’s “sit down” gesture as he stooped back down to play defense. While the Hotshots were arguing for a timeout, television cameras saw him raising his middle finger in Franklin’s direction.
According to PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, Abarrientos will face consequences for his actions. “Siguradong may fine,” Marcial said, citing that such conduct is prohibited by the PBA rulebook.
While acknowledging his mistake to Tiebreaker Times, Abarrientos also voiced his displeasure with the officials.
“Hindi, nang-aalaska lang siya. Eh, feeling niya winning shot ang tinira niya tapos pinapaupo niya kami. ‘Yun lang ‘yun,” The assistant coach of Magnolia Hotshots said of Franklin. The latter scored 26 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists in the said game.
“Tapos sinabihan ako ng referee. Sabi ko, ‘Ref pwede namang umamin kung mali eh. Lahat naman tayo nagkaka-mali. ‘Wag mong itama ‘yung mali kasi nakakahiya, nakita ng lahat tao.’ ‘Yun lang naman sinabi ko eh,” he added.
However, Johnny Abarrientos asserted that he did not make the offensive gesture toward the referees. “Tapos sinasabihan nila ako, naka-ganun daw ako. Naka-ganun ako sa import, hindi naman sa kanila,” he explained.
With a 111-109 victory, the FiberXers handed Magnolia their first Governors’ Cup setback. Converge improved to 3-0 and now leads the conference.
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