Cyrus Baguio escapes suspension for foul on Jayson Castro

News5 · Thursday, December 27, 2012 · 1:35 pm

AKTV file/Paul Ryan Tan

Alaska high-flyer Cyrus Baguio will not be suspended for his hit on Talk ‘N Text guard Jayson Castro in Game Three of their Philippine Cup semifinals series.
Baguio, who was ejected for the infraction that was called a flagrant foul penalty two, confirmed the news in an interview with News5 Thursday.
No official decision has been handed down by the league, but the player met with PBA commissioner Chito Salud Thursday morning. There will likely be a fine on Baguio, which the league has not finalized yet.
Talk ‘N Text earlier pushed for a review of the play and sought suspension for Baguio.
“The league’s primary concern is to protect the players,” said Tropang Texters team manager Aboy Castro.
Alaska coach Luigi Trillo had batted for the league not to suspend his player.
“Cyrus has never had a background at that,” said Trillo. “It was a duty foul. I would be shocked if the Commissioner took out Cyrus.”

Alaska coach Luigi Trillo ‘surprised’ by hefty P30k fine on Cyrus Baguio

InterAKTV · Thursday, December 27, 2012 · 5:08 pm

AKTV/Paolo Papa

Alaska coach Luigi Trillo was not surprised on the decision of PBA commissioner Chito Salud to spare Cyrus Baguio from suspension.
But he was in disbelief about the P30,000 fine meted on his player for a flagrant foul penalty two on Talk ‘N Text’s Jayson Castro in Game Three of their best-of-seven semifinal showdown.
“Commissioner (Salud) has allowed guys like James Yap, Rob Reyes, Beau Belga to play on so he’s being consistent with that,” Trillo said, referring to players who committed the same infractions but escaped suspension.
“I am surprised by Cyrus’ fine. Si (Aaron) Aban nga hindi natin alam kung magkano fine.”
Trillo was pointing to Aban’s hit on the face Calvin Abueva in Game Two where the Aces prevailed, 100-88.
Aban’s hard foul on Abueva did not escape the attention of Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black.
“When Aaron Aban gave up a hard foul on Calvin Abueva in Game Two, I called him up and told him that we want to play tough defense, but we don’t intend to hurt anybody. We don’t need that in basketball because that’s the players’ livelihood,” Black said in an earlier interview by InterAKTV.
Baguio’s P30,000 fine was the biggest that Salud handed out on Thursday as his punishment to the erring players in the Alaska-Talk ‘N Text semifinal series.
Abueva was fined a total of P7,400 for his flagrant foul penalty one on Castro and technical foul for second motion. His teammates Gabby Espinas (P5,000) and Sonny Thoss (P1,000) were also fined.
Tropang Texters Jared Dillinger, Jared Dillinger and Kelly Williams were handed out a P1,000 fine each for their technical fouls in Game Three which they won, 93-79.

Baguio shouldn’t be suspended for hard foul on Castro, says Alaska coach Luigi Trillo

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Wednesday, December 26, 2012 · 9:55 pm

AKTV file/Paul Ryan Tan

Alaska guard Cyrus Baguio’s hard foul on Talk ‘N Text’s Jayson Castro late in the Tropang Texters’ Game Three victory over the Aces Wednesday does not merit suspension, according to Luigi Trillo.
“Cyrus has never had a background at that,” said the Alaska coach. “It was a duty foul. I would be shocked if the Commissioner took out Cyrus.”
Baguio was called for a flagrant foul penalty two on the play, leading to an automatic ejection. The infraction is subject to review by PBA commissiner Chito Salud, who has power to decide whether a player should be suspended.
Trillo cited previous instances where players involved in similar incidents escaped suspension.
“James Yap hammered Ibañes with an open palm,” said Trillo, who added that Baguio had no intention to hurt Castro, who was taken out of the game after hitting his free throws after the foul. He was later taken to the hospital for a checkup.
“It was a duty foul, it wasn’t a closed fist.”
Trillo challenged the league to apply the same rules to Baguio as it has to other players.
“The officials of the league said to put premium on protecting the players. Calvin [Abueva] has been hit left and right and no one was suspended,” said Trillo.