Players from both Barangay Ginebra and Meralco were summoned before the Commissioner’s Office ahead of their Game 3 quarterfinals clash following a highly physical second game last Friday, July 29.
Prince Caperal was summoned after being involved in a physical play during Game 2 to which the referees missed but was caught by cameras and went viral after it was tweeted by Meralco guard Chris Newsome.
Caperal was shown hitting Newsome with an elbow to the back of the head during a rebound play.
Newsome then posted a cryptic tweet saying: "Privilege making people brave! Beware of Fake Tough Guys everywhere!". It’s unclear whether Newsome pertains to the video or to the physicality of the game.
Aside from Caperal, Ginebra big man Christian Standhardinger and Meralco guard Franky Johnson were also summoned by PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial for their altercation during the pre-game warmups.
According to reports, shoving and throwing of ball happened between the two before they were separated by cooler heads.
The series took a more physical and emotional turn in Game 2 that saw Cliff Hodge coming away bloody with a huge scratch on his chin and John Pinto having a verbal spat with the Meralco bench in the first half of Ginebra’s 94-87 victory.
Physicality is expected to continue to flare in Game 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena in their 6:30 p.m. clash with one of the two remaining semifinals slots at stake.