The semifinals of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 50 Commissioner’s Cup between Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine is shaping up to be must-see TV even more.

Already a marquee match-up between two of the more popular teams in the league, the series took a different turn last Wednesday in Game 4 when Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao and Barangay Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua exchanged words at center court during the customary handshakes between the teams after the match.

Guiao later accused Chua, who is also the vice governor of the PBA board of governors, of intimidating the referees since the start of the semifinals, a conduct that he believes is unbecoming of his position in the league.

Guiao also took exception to a referee allegedly being suspended due to a wrong call against Barangay Ginebra.

“And I feel, as a governor, it’s not his job to keep talking to the referees in that way, intimidating them,” said Guiao in Taglish. “Our team governor, Atty. Mert (Mondragon), he never does that. Maybe coaches can complain. Maybe assistant coaches can complain. But I feel that in terms of demeanor and ethics, as a member of the board, if they can’t check on their emotions, they should just leave that to their coaching staff and to the players.”

“Sometimes, you get carried away by your emotions. But not every time. You can’t do that for Game 1, Game 2, Game 3, Game 4,” Guiao added.

Chua responded to Guiao’s criticisms, advising him not to meddle with his team, and focus on coaching.

“He meddles with us governors. He should stick to coaching,” said Chua.

The tension between the two alpha males of the league has definitely drawn more interest to an already very interesting semifinal series, with Game 4 drawing the largest crowd of the conference with 14,615.


Photo: PBA Images

Justin Brownlee is enjoying another solid conference, and has formed a 1-2 punch with RJ Abarrientos, who is playing one of his best stretches of his young PBA career with his scoring and passing ability. Scottie Thompson continues to pump in performances that make Ginebra fans in awe.

The old guard is getting a worthy challenge from an emerging squad of Rain or Shine. Built around the young talent composed of Adrian Nocum, Jhonard Clarito, Gian Mamuyac and a talented import in Jaylen Johnson, the Elasto Painters looked poised for a deeper run after semifinal finishes over the last few conferences.

Barangay Ginebra looked headed to dominate the semifinal series when it claimed Game 3 via a 103-98 win with the triumvirate of Brownlee, Thompson, Abarrientos combining for 66 points for its second straight victory. Rain or Shine, however, avoided a 3-1 hole, bouncing back in a big way with a 97-85 win with the Elasto Painters limiting Abarrientos to only eight points.

Then, the spat between Guiao and Chua.

This series has all the makings of a classic. It’s just too bad it’s not for a championship.