PASIG—Cagayan coach Alvin Pua got into hot waters after reportedly punching a referee in his team's PBA D-League match against Livermarin-San Sebastian at the Ynares Sports Arena on Thursday.
Multiple news outfits said that Pua threw some strikes at referee Ben Montero when the two had a disagreement on a call made by the latter late in the second quarter of the match.
Pua asked Montero for explanation about the said call that did not favor the Rising Suns. Montero cautioned Pua for dissenting to the call. Felt disrespected, Pua punched Montero on the side and the back of his head.
The other officials immediately threw Pua out of the game, while Montero was rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment.
Pua asked Montero for explanation about the said call that did not favor the Rising Suns. Montero cautioned Pua for dissenting to the call. Felt disrespected, Pua punched Montero on the side and the back of his head.
The other officials immediately threw Pua out of the game, while Montero was rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment.
Despite losing Pua, a San Sebastian alumnus, the Rising Suns banked on a second half blitz to dismantle the slumping Stags, 106-94.
Despite the win, Cagayan could lose Pua for good as he may face a lifetime ban from the league pending Commissioner Chito Salud's take on the incident, which will be released on Friday.
Pua is not new to such punching incidents as he has been involved in some other instances, including one in a friendly against NU and another in the D-League months later.
Pua is not new to such punching incidents as he has been involved in some other instances, including one in a friendly against NU and another in the D-League months later.
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