Orton fined PhP250K for offensive remarks against PBA, Pacquiao

MANILA – For issuing offensive comments against Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and game officials, Purefoods Star Hotshots import Daniel Orton has been slapped with a PhP250,000 fine by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Asia’s first professional basketball league.

In a press statement issued Friday, PBA Commissioner Chito Salud said the league will not condone the ‘insulting behavior’ of Orton towards his fellow player and the PBA.

”For issuing comments that are disparaging, disrespectful of and offensive to his host league, the game officials and a fellow player and head coach of a member-team, a penalty of PhP250,000 is hereby imposed on Mr. Orton,” Salud said.

Orton issued his comments when asked by reporters what it was like to see Pacquiao playing basketball after Purefoods absorbed an 84-95 loss to Pacquiao’s KIA team last Wednesday.

“That’s a joke. That’s part of the joke I was talking about. Professional boxer, yeah, okay. Congressman, alright. Professional basketball player, no. It’s a joke. Seriously, it’s a joke,” Orton said.

Orton also criticized the referees for making the game “into a mockery.”

”Regardless of what action his ballclub may take regarding his status, this Office disapproves of and frowns upon the cavalier manner in which Mr. Orton issued his comments and the unwarranted antics and liberties he has taken with the league and a fellow player,” Salud said in his decision to fine Orton.

Saddled by foul trouble, Orton finished with only six points and three rebounds in 19 minutes and he was fouled out with 1:31 left in the game.

In the same game, Pacquiao scored his first-ever point, missed two baskets, including one that went air ball, had one assist in only 39 seconds of action in his only third game in the league.