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| Elvis Tolentino has been suspended for his late action to a player. MPBL (file photo) |
MANILA--Coach Elvis Tolentino will miss Marikina's upcoming game after the MPBL suspended him for his unsportsmanlike conduct during the team's previous game.
The MPBL announced that the concurrent Marikina councilman is slapped with a one-game suspension, which he will serve when the Shoemasters face off with the Paranaque Patriots at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the league's first stop at the Sentro Pangkabataan in Calapan, plus a PHP75,000 fine.
Tolentino was seen hitting his player Felipe Chavez with what seemed like a punch to the core out of frustration after Chavez turned the ball over late into Marikina's 66-71 road loss to Pasig last week at the Ynares Sports Arena.
The league deemed that hit as "conduct unbecoming of a professional basketball coach."
Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes notified Tolentino of the ban on Monday.
"We would like to reiterate our commitment to fostering a positive and safe environment that is free from violence and conducive to fair play, respect, and sportsmanship for all players, coaches, and staff members during every game and every event," Duremdes said.
Tolentino can return in the Shoemasters' next game against the Manila Stars on July 10 also at the Ynares Sports Arena.
On the other hand, GenSan will battle Batang Kankaloo in the second game at 6 p.m., while Oriental Mindoro hosts Pasig at 8 p.m. also on Tuesday in the MPBL's first ever stop in MIMAROPA.
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