Calvin Abueva surprised to get technical foul for sticking out tongue during game

Calvin Abueva got yet another technical in Game Three. KC Cruz

For the first time ever, Calvin Abueva was slapped with a technical foul for sticking out his tongue in Game Three of the semifinals series between Alaska and GlobalPort on Friday night.

With under a minute remaining in the first quarter, the Aces forward hit a jumper over Jay Washington to put his team up, 23-13. As he turned around to head back to defense, he stuck out his tongue towards the Batang Pier bench.

It was a familiar habit for The Beast, an antic that he carried with him all the way to the FIBA Asia Championship last year, but times have changed in the PBA.

"'Di ko naman alam na ganun na kaselan [ang tawagan]," said Abueva, who was whistled for taunting right after the act. "Pero talagang ganun, technical kung technical."

Alaska coach Alex Compton complained to the referees when the call was made, clearly surprised as referees usually let Abueva get away with the tongue-sticking.

"Calvin's just Calvin. He's into the game. He's playing hard and when people are talking to him he responds," he said during the post-game press conference.

The coach, however, understands that the PBA is buckling down on the officiating in light of the Game Two incident that saw the league hand down 13 technical fouls.

"Thought it was a quick whistle. But it was probably because they wanted to make sure nothing happened," he said. "I think the league has every right to do that."

Abueva was heavily involved in the Game Two commotion, triggering the fracas with a bump on Anthony Semerad and engaging GlobalPort team governor Eric Arejola in a verbal spat.

Sticking out his tongue in Game Three seemed to be his payback, but it backfired as he seemed distracted after getting called for the technical.

"Medyo nakaka-frustrate, pero stay focused pa rin kaya namin nakuha itong game na ito," said Abueva, who scored nine points and grabbed 15 rebounds.

He was fined P41,600 for his Game Two actions, and another fine is expected to be handed down for Friday's technical foul.

"Okay lang sa fine. Ang iniisip natin kung paano makapasok sa championship." —JST, GMA News