Ross, Santos mean no harm

“As long as my team won, that’s all that matters.

San Miguel Beer stalwarts Arwind Santos and Chris Ross defended their actions, saying that they didn’t mean to hurt when they got tossed out in Game 2 of their Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven finals series against Ginebra late Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With the Beermen on their way to a blowout win, Santos was seen planting a lowered shoulder on Scottie Thompson, sending the do-it-all Ginebra swingman sprawling on the hardcourt.

The infraction was merited a flagrant foul penalty 2 that led to his immediate ejection.

He, however, said it was only a screen that accidentally hit Thompson on the abdomen area.

“The rule for F2 is above the shoulder or a closed fist,” said Santos, who contributed 14 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals in San Miguel’s 139-104 win before hitting the shower.

“I’ve been playing in the league for a long time and I usually did that screen yet I was whistled for F2.”

Ross, on the same note, didn’t like his ejection.

“I don’t think I deserve them but the referees called them so I’ll live with it,” said Ross, who followed to the Beermen’s locker room just 15 seconds after his teammate Santos was tossed out.

Ross got his first technical foul due to continuous complaining with an official while the second one came from his verbal spat with Joe Devance at the 5:03 mark of the final canto that nearly led to a melee.

Ross, who had five assists, three rebounds and two steals, opted to just move on as the Beermen ran away with the most important thing of the game which was the victory.

“We won, that’s it. As long as my team won, that’s all that matters,” he said.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.