PBA: Calvin Abueva suspended after dirty finger gesture to fan in Easter 'Clasico'

Calvin Abueva has been suspended for Magnolia's clash with NLEX. PBA Images (file photo) 

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY—Calvin Abueva will not see action for Magnolia in its next game as PBA commissioner Willie Marcial announced on Wednesday that he will be suspended for that game.

Marcial slapped the penalty on Abueva plus a PHP20,000 fine after he was caught on camera flashing a dirty finger to a fan during the Hotshots' Manila Clasico game against Barangay Ginebra on Easter Sunday night.

According to Marcial, he met with Abueva earlier in the day to talk about what the energetic forward did.

"Alam niya na mali siya na ginaya niya yun. Humingi rin siya ng paumanhin sa nangyari," Marcial said during halftime of the Meralco-Terrafirma game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

This means Abueva will miss Magnolia's game against NLEX on Saturday night in the PBA's return to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila since the 2010-2011 season.

Marcial then told reporters that a repeat offense could mean a longer suspension, although he also relayed that Abueva vowed not to repeat the gesture again.

Marcial then told Abueva that he could raise his concerns about unruly fans to him or the technical committee so they could reprimand the fans and possibly escort them out of the arena and take matters into his own hands.

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