Philippines, 14 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


PBA: It?s on with the sweet savagery


PhilBoxing.com


(COURAGEOUS CALL: It was the lifetime motto of newspaperman Nixon Kua to stare truth in the eye--and report everything without fear or favor. It was also his lifetime vow to fight criminality. Kua was being truthful to his calling when he was gunned down by robbers in Calamba over the weekend. He has been sacrificed. It would be a big disservice to this committed gentleman if authorities, led by President Aquino, continue to play blind to the rapacious rise of criminality in the country. Sir Nixon?s death should serve as a screaming call for police authorities to take honest action, or do they have the courage of the man?)

**

THAT was not an entirely new dish served in the opener of the PBA Governors Cup Finals on Sunday.

But it must?ve tasted especially good.

If to a steak, it was virile, far from tender.

But there?s no denying PBA Commissioner Chito Salud has found it to his liking.

He has, in fact, bluntly ordered a second serving.

It was hard to determine how the referees, acting as chefs, could do a reprise.

**

For one, the dish did not sit well with all those involved.
There was, for example, B-Meg coach Tim Cone who had obviously suffered indigestion.

He protested vehemently, hurling a chair in frustration, thereby damaging the glossy, expensive playing floor at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Cone was slapped a hefty fine by the Commissioner, and also assessed for damages by venue managers.

**

It was indeed quite smart of coach Yeng Guiao for having snapped back at Cone for his critical reaction.

Guiao said it was unfair of Cone to have asked the help of referees, while hinting things could go out of hand in Game 2 (scheduled last night.)

Guiao would next be upheld by Commissioner Salud, who insisted everything was above board as far as officiating was concerned.

**

Of course, fans, including Rain or Shine diehards, were not unanimously happy at the Sunday outcome.

Budda Daiz, a hardworking jeep driver, said he made the right decision by staying away from the game together with his eldest son CJ, a talented young cager and avid student of the game.
?Kung ganuong laro makikita ng mga bata, buti nga huwag na lang (It?s better to stay away if that?s the kind of dirty game kids would be exposed to),? he told the Inquirer on Monday.

He said the winning side could have used a little subtlety in going all out for a win.

**

But we have to give it to Commissioner Salud who insisted the rough, rugged match did not border on savagery.

In deference to the Commisioner, this reporter hereby rephrases the title of his last column to sweet savagery.

Coach Cone has also apologized for his explosive reaction.
In fairness go Guiao, he?s both sharp and talented his players could?ve won hands down with more fluidity.

But, as demonstrated in Game 1, toughness is the name of the game.

In fact, there should be an even bigger attendance last night, thanks to the promise of a more dramatic encounter.

**

This could also mean the referees, given the authority by the league commissioner, should have more than their share of hot, fiery ingredients.

Unfortunately, there was also the risk of the steak ending up overdone.

How? Ok, this need not be retold. But when one beleaguered team (was it Shell?) demanded tighter control from the referees during a championship series in the 90s, the great Rudy Salud, late father of the current PBA commissioner, humbly acceded. He ordered the referees to next render a softer conduct of the game, like shifting from rock to a waltz number.

The requesting squad, naturally, had its moment on the floor. This team was clearly on its way to a title win when a monumental walkout, led by living legend Robert Jaworski, import Sylvester Gray and manager Bernabe Navarro, was staged in the second half.

That event also rocked the league to its foundation.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Stops Mexican Terminator Manuel Gallego in Eight Classic Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Weigh-in from Highland Boxing in Bangkok, Thailand; Dologuin in Action (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Oval rules 35th CityHeights slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Sims vs. Barboza and Dickens vs. Cacace Headline Doubleheader on DAZN
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rubilen Amit sustains amazing run of victories at WPBA Pool in New York
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Weights Set in Anaheim: Barboza Jr. and Sims Jr. Ready for Welterweight War; Collazo Defends Titles
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rising Young Star Yoenis Tellez Takes on Top Contender Brian Mendoza in New Co-Main Event of PBC Pay-per-View Event Available on Prime Video Saturday, March 28
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Five USA Boxers Qualify for Medal Rounds on Day Six of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rubilen Amit off to hot start in her WPBA debut
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Pavel Sosulin stops Victor Nagbe to remain unbeaten at IBA Pro 15 in Saint Petersburg
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Nicaraguan Boxing Commission hold Annual Awards to 2025 winners
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • BARBOZA JR. VS. SIMS JR. FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Skye Nicolson Headlines Huge Matchroom Boxing Homecoming in Melbourne as New Kayo Sports TV Era Begins on April 29
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Five Boxers Advance on Day Five of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Canoy to fight Balidio on March 14 in Matanao
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Lopez vs. Gallegos’ at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, Tomorrow Night at 8 pm EDT
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Jonny Mansour Takes on William King as One Half of a Double Main Event at Frontwave Arena’s SD Fight Night: Family Business on Saturday, April 18, 2026
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Rising Contender Jalen “Skywalker” Walker Signs with Wise Owl Boxing
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Unsung Heroes and the Value of Service
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Ronald, eldest son of boxing legend Tommy Hearns, will be his guardian and conservator
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Remembering Gilberto Mendoza in the 10th Anniversary of His Passing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Air Force, Elite teams in Best of the Best Karate tourney
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Chavez brothers to return on April 25
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • ProBox & Teiken Announce Co-Promotional Deal with World-Ranked Bantamweight Contender Katsuma Akitsugi
    , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Team USA Earns Three More Wins on Day Four of World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Thu, 12 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.