Orton slapped with hefty fine for "That's a joke" statement

Nuki Sabio/PBA (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--PBA Commissioner Chito Salud reminded Purefoods import Daniel Orton that everything he sees in the PBA is not an act of comedy.

On Friday, the commissioner meted a PHP250 thousand sanction to Orton for his remarks against Kia playing coach Manny Pacquiao and the referees after a match Wednesday night won by Kia, 95-84.

In an official statement, Salud said, "For issuing comments that are disparaging, disrespectful of and offensive to his host league, the game officials and a fellow player and head coach of a member-team, a penalty of 250,000 pesos is hereby imposed on Mr. Orton. Regardless of what action his ballclub may take regarding his status, this office disapproves of and frowns upon the cavalier manner in which Mr. Orton issued his comments and the unwarranted antics and liberties he has taken with the league and a fellow player. This insulting behavior will never be condoned by this league."

Orton, hampered by fouls and limited to only six points and three rebounds in the loss, called Pacquiao "a joke" as a basketball player and blasted the referees for "mocking" the beauty of the game.