PBA: Rico Maierhofer's 'shoe-palpal' for Barako draws laughter from SMB

Barako Bull forward Rico Maierhofer became the source of comedic relief on Wednesday night after he tried to block San Miguel big man Gabby Espinas' shot -- not with his palm, but with his shoe.

The former La Salle player lost his right shoe after finishing a layup at the five minute mark of the third quarter, and had to pick it up as play continued and the Energy rushed back to defense.

Espinas got the ball at the post and slipped past behemoth import Liam McMorrow, but appeared to hesitate when Maierhofer suddenly jumped in front of him with a shoe in his hand.

"Ang dami kong tawa e. Pagkatapos nung play tawa ako nang tawa kasi pinalo nung sapatos 'yung board," said Espinas about the incident.

Maierhofer said it was a split-second decision on his part, as he was unsure whether the referees will stop the play because the ball did not touch his shoe after the layup.

"Live yung game, so hawak ko 'yung shoes ko e siyempre pag dedepensa ka, gagamitin mo 'yung kamay mo," he said. "E nagkataon nandun 'yung sapatos ko so kasama siya block."

Espinas said it was the first time he experienced such an episode in the PBA, but he said that he did not think it was a legal thing to do in basketball.

The referees did not make a call on the play, but San Miguel coach Leo Austria believes it should have been illegal as a foreign object was involved in stopping a shot.

"Kung puwede pala 'yun puwede mo palang hubadin 'yung t-shirt at hahabulin 'yung bola masusupalpal 'yun," said the coach, who could not help but laugh it off during the post-game press conference.

Espinas, for his part, expressed admiration for Maierhofer's effort to run down the court to defend even with just one shoe on.

"At least di ba nakita mo 'yung effort niya habulin 'yung tira," he said. -- JST, GMA News