Ginebra star Mark Caguioa slapped with P5,000 fine for 'vicious' hit on Abueva

Ginebra star Mark Caguioa has been fined P5,000 for a hit on Alaska sophomore Calvin Abueva which Aces owner Wilfred Uytengsu described as an "MMA foul." Jerome Ascano

BARANGAY Ginebra superstar guard Mark Caguioa has been slapped with a P5,000 fine for landing hard on Alaska small forward Calvin Abueva with his two elbows during Wednesday’s physical quarterfinal action at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Caguioa didn't appear before Commissioner Chito Salud, although media bureau chief Willy Marcial said the summon was waivable. However, the one-time league MVP didn't escape the fine for a hit on Abueva described as 'vicious' by the league and an 'MMA foul' by Alaska team owner Wilfred Uytengsu.

“Waivable naman (ang summon) pero may P5,000 fine siya dahil sa flagrant foul one niya,” Marcial said on Friday.

The incident happened while Caguioa and Abueva were engaged in a mad scramble for the loose ball underneath the Aces’ basket going into the first minute of the second quarter.

The heated action saw flamboyant Alaska swingman fall hard to the floor but Caguioa, who apparently lost balance, landed on Abueva with his two elbows appearing to target the Aces sophomore forward.

The game was halted during the 11:27 mark of the second period as Abueva was left lying on the floor while holding on to his head.

Later on, game officials slapped Caguioa with a flagrant foul penalty one and had to sit out for three minutes.

Alaska gutted out a 104-97 win to forge a winner-take-all match on Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome, with Abueva coming energizing the Aces with 16 points and 11 rebounds.