The rematch of the last PBA Commissioner's Cup finals San Miguel Beermen and TNT KaTropa did not lack in intensity. Four players were ejected from San Miguel's 99-94 victory Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Things got chippy early on as Terrence Romeo and Marcio Lassiter scuffled after Lassiter fouled Romeo on his way to the basket with 3:40 remaining in the second period. Both were assessed a technical foul.
A few possessions later, Romeo drew a foul on Lassiter. The flamboyant TNT guard then taunted Lassiter, who responded by pushing him, resulting in both players getting ejected.
With the game on the line in the fourth quarter, emotions got the better of TNT forward Tony Semerad and Beermen forward Arwind Santos.
The two scrambled for a rebound with 7:36 to go, with Santos pulling Semerad on the way down. Semerad retaliated with an elbow to the back of Santos' head. Both were slapped with a flagrant foul two -- automatic ejections for both players.
TNT Katropa coach Nash Racela played down the pair of ejections that marred the main event at the Mall of Asia Arena, dismissing it as part of the game.
"The referees allow a lot of physicality," Racela said. "They [referees] just have to be consistent. At least, one of our players got thrown out. The same happened with them, so I think it's fair with that regard."
SMB coach Leo Austria, shared the same sentiment.
"They're showing that they're out to win games to the point of fighting for the team," Austria said. "I salute them."
Meanwhile, Semerad declined to comment after the game, while Santos, Lassiter, and Romeo left the venue early.