Erram, Varilla suspended for NLEX-NorthPort knockout match after Game 1 fracas

Sean Anthony tries to keep Michael Qualls from retaliating to both Poy Erram and Paul Varilla during their commotion late into Game 1 of the NLEX-NorthPort quarterfinal series. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY--Poy Erram and Paul Varilla will miss NLEX's all or nothing showdown against NorthPort for the last PBA Governors' Cup semifinal spot for their role in a commotion late into Game 1 of their quarterfinal series.

The league announced on Tuesday that Erram and Varilla were suspended for one game each after they escalated matters after the latter's foul on Michael Qualls with 4:54 left in their quarterfinal game on Monday night.

Qualls accidentally stepped on Varilla after the latter fell down. This did not sit well with Varilla that he tried to kick Qualls before Erram stepped in and hit Qualls with an elbow before cooler heads prevailed.

"The league will never tolerate fighting, there is absolutely no room for such in sports and in the PBA," the PBA said in a statement.

Erram was also slapped with a PHP60,000 fine, while Varilla was meted a PHP50,000 fine as well.

Philip Paniamogan, Chris Standhardinger, and Kiefer Ravena did not escape fines too. Paniamogan and Standhardinger were each slapped with a PHP5,000 fine for their Flagrant Fouls Penalty 1.

In the case of Standhardinger hit Kiefer Ravena with an elbow to the abdomen, which was elevated to a flagrant foul upon review.

Ravena, on the other hand, was slapped with a PHP1,000 for a technical foul after he confronted Standhardinger for the elbow.

Both the Road Warriors and the Batang Pier will meet again on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City for the right to face Barangay Ginebra in the semifinals.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno