By: Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
With their quest for a grand-slam gradually taking a back-step due to injuries, the SMB squad found themselves in a deeper void after a brawl took place during their open-practice session.
The birthday celebration of the cornerstone of their franchise went to waste as June Mar Fajardo was very disappointed with the surprising event, knowing the bond and the cohesion that became SMB’s brand in the PBA that propelled them to their numerous titles.
It all started when coach Leo Austria divided the group into two for a scrimmage, one named the Homegrown camp and the other the State-side squad.
After a hard pick set-up by Arwind Santos, SMB import Dez Wells was knocked down to the floor and to prevent any commotion, SMB teammates separated the two but afterward, Ronald Tubid punched Wells.
In retaliation, Kelly Nabong, a member of the state-side team, punched Tubid back and order was not restored easily.
Reports also claimed that Wells and Nabong chased Tubid down to the stairs in anger.
SMB staff then ordered the people in attendance to leave the Upper Deck Sports Center in Pasig City.
The SMB management has yet to release a statement regarding the commotion, and the PBA committee is now looking deep into the incident.
