With physicality escalating, Talk ‘N Text wants Cyrus Baguio suspended

Rey Joble, InterAKTV · Wednesday, December 26, 2012 · 10:10 pm

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters have asked the PBA to review Cyrus Baguio’s hard foul on Jayson Castro in the fourth quarter of their win over the Alaska Aces Wednesday.
Talk ‘N Text team manager Aboy Castro said the squad is seeking a ban on Baguio, who was thrown out of the match after the hit, which was deemed a flagrant foul penalty two. The infraction carries an automatic ejection, but not a suspension for the next match.
“The league’s primary concern is to protect the players,” said the team manager.
Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black said he isn’t happy with the way the league has allowed physicality to escalate, even acknowledging that some of his players had a hand in it.
“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 told InterAKTV.
“But after what happened tonight when Cyrus Baguio gave up a hard foul and hurt Jayson Castro, I don’t know what the PBA is thinking right now. One player certainly wants to take away another player.”
Castro was brought to the Makati Medical Center for a CT scan as a precautionary measure.

Baguio’s hit on Castro ‘part of basketball’, says Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black

InterAKTV · Wednesday, December 26, 2012 · 9:36 pm

AKTV file/Paolo Papa

Talk ‘N Text star guard Jayson Castro was sprawled on the floor after a hard hit by Alaska’s Cyrus Baguio late in Game Three of their Philippine Cup semifinals series between the two teams Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
After converting two free throws off Baguio’s flagrant foul penalty two — the Aces’ stalwart was ejected for the play — the visibly-shaken Castro was subbed out and did not return for Talk ‘N Text’s victory.
“Jayson took a pretty good hit and we just have to find out how serious it is,” said Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black. Castro was reportedly on his way to the hospital for medical checkup as a safety precaution.
The coach, however, said that Baguio’s foul was nothing out of the usual.
“That’s part of basketball and that’s part of the series,” said Black, even as the best-of-seven series between the two teams has gradually heated up.
Prior to Baguio’s ejection, a scuffle broke out in the third quarter involving Jared Dillinger, Sonny Thoss, and Gabby Espinas. The referees earlier called for an ejection on Espinas for taking a fighting stance, but later changed the call to a flagrant foul allowing the Alaska forward to return to the playing court.
Aces star rookie Calvin Abueva was also ejected. He was called for a flagrant foul penalty one by referees, allegedly for tripping Ryan Reyes, as well as a technical foul on a loose ball play against Castro.
Alaska coach Luigi Trillo, however, contended that Abueva should not have been called for the latter infraction.
“Jayson flopped, he flopped that first time,” said Trillo.
Black, meanwhile, said he expects the action to escalate further.
“I expect them to continue to be more physical and we just have to be ready for them,” said Black.
“Hopefully, we could focus and just concentrate on basketball.”