Khobuntin, Johnson fined and suspended for fighting incident

THE PBA Commissioner’s Office came down hard on Glenn Khobuntin and import Jaylen Johnson after slapping suspensions and fines on both players in the aftermath of their punching incident that marred the TNT-Rain or Shine Commissioner’s Cup game Friday night.

Khobuntin, 34, was handed out a two-game suspension and a P70,000 fine, while the 6-foot-9 Johnson received a one-game suspension and penalized for P50,000.

Both players were summoned Saturday by commissioner Willie Marcial at the PBA office to explain their side on the episode that occurred six minutes into the fourth quarter of a heated match before a huge crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Khobuntin and Johnson were later assessed with flagrant foul penalty 2 and ejected from the game, which Rain or Shine won, 112-109.

Marcial said the two players were apologetic, especially Khobuntin who was very remorseful while saying his piece.

“Sobrang nagsisisi. Maluha-luha,” was how he described the TNT wingman. “Sabi ko sa kanya, ‘anong nangyari sa iyo? Ang ganda-ganda ng career mo, e.”

Khobuntin personally apologized to the commissioner, the PBA family, his TNT team, Rain or Shine, the PBA fans, and especially to Johnson.

“Nagpapa-sorry siya kay Johnson. Tsaka sa lahat, sa fans, sa PBA family. Mag-apologize din siya sa mga teammates niya pagpunta niya ng practice,” said Marcial.

“Parang bumaril ka niyan. Pagkatapos nun, nasa huli ang pagsisisi,” added Marcial about Khobuntin’s case.

Johnson already said his apology when interviewed shortly after the game, but still said his sorry nonetheless.

“Nag-apologize din siya. And I told him ‘it’s unfortunate that I’ve met you in the office for the first time under such circumstances,” the commissioner told the Rain or Shine import.

“Sabi niya (Johnson) naman, he’s a jolly person. At nagpunta siya rito hindi para makipag-away, pero para maglaro.”

According to Marcial, Johnson thought everything was fine between him and Khobuntin especially during a prior play when the TNT veteran beat him out for a rebound.

“’You got me there,”’ sabi niya (Johnson) pa raw kay Khobuntin. Tapos nagtapikan pa nga sila ng kamay,” said the commissioner.

So it was to Johnson’s surprise when Khobuntin suddenly sneaked in a punch while the two of them were positioning for a rebound play.

Marcial said Khobuntin received the more severe punishment for instigating the fight.

Khobuntin will start serving his two-game suspension on Sunday when TNT tangles with Meralco, while Johnson is going to sit out Rain or Shine’s game likewise against the Bolts on Friday.