(CNN Philippines) — Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said Talk ‘N Text import Ivan Johnson intentionally bumped him in the third period of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup finals opener at the Mall of Asia Arena Wednesday (April 15).
“Well, he did it on purpose,” Guiao said of the incident that sent the fiery coach to the floor at the 3:36 mark of the third quarter.
“The video showed that he can easily avoid me and it was on my blindside.”
The sluggish Rain or Shine eventually succumbed to Talk ‘N Text, 99-92, in Game 1.
The outspoken mentor said he wasn’t actually surprised it happened given how short-tempered Johnson is.
“I’m not surprised because that has been his reputation,” he said. “It’s probably a lack of breeding and respect. (That’s) one reason he’s out of the NBA (National Basketball Association) and playing overseas.”
As if the bump wasn’t enough, Guiao bared Johnson even taunted him following the incident that led to a technical foul on the mercurial reinforcement.
“It was uncalled for. I wasn’t doing anything to upset him and the other thing is that he kept looking at me in the eye and taunting me after he did it,” he said.
“I was surprised it was only a technical. I thought he deserved more than that. He should have been out of the game. I don’t know. If my players did that to coach Jong (Uichico), I don’t know what the punishment would be so I’m really surprised.”
With Game 2 already on his mind, Guiao is now leaving everything to the league.
“We’ll focus on the game and what needs to be done. We’ll see what happens with him, it’s a long series anyway. But I’m expecting the league to do something about it,” he said.
Game 2 is on Friday (April 17) at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
