Marikina Shoemasters and city councilor Elvis Tolentino is in hot water after throwing a punch on his player, Felipe Chavez, during an MPBL match.
The Games and Amusement Board (GAB) had already started an inquiry and promised to not tolerate "any actions that compromise the integrity of the game." Other fans who saw the circulating videos online have mixed reactions.
Former PBA players also chimed into the defense of the now controversial coach.
Four-time PBA champion Willie Miller has no problem at all with the punch.
"Dapat pinagbabanatan ‘yung mga bata ngayon. Pati ‘yung mga parents ang aarte niyong mga hayop kayo, dati sinisikmuraan todo, ngayon gusto niyo bine-baby anak niyo," the former Alaska Aces star guard said on PBAmotoclub Team Amazing's Youtube vlog.
"Ang mali ni Elvis kapag hindi na niya ginamit ‘yun, sinaktan mo tapos hindi mo pinabawi. Pabawiin mo."
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters veteran and two-time PBA champion Ryan Araña agreed on Miller's take.
"Kapag sinikmuraan ka lang tapos hindi ka na ginamit, ibig sabihin pinersonal ka," he said.
Araña, who played for legendary fiery coach Yeng Guiao, also gave his take on the punch.
"Kay coach Yeng mas masakit pa nga kapag minumura ka, lalaitin ka. Sinuntok ka lang e, e nakikipagsikuhan ka nga sa basketball sa mukha e, anong masama doon? Parang dinibdiban ka lang. Kumbaga parang ginising ka lang."
The 39-year-old hooper clarified that he doesn't tolerate violence, but looked at Tolentino's punch as part of basketball.
"Ako hindi natin tino-tolerate, hindi natin ine-encourage, pero normal ‘yun e sa basketball, ‘yung ganung klase ng treatment. Hindi naman sa mukha, parang ginising ka lang."
Former PBA journeyman and one-time champion KG Canaleta has advice to parents of players.
"Masasabi ko lang dun, ‘wag silang masyadong sensitive. Medyo, syempre sa magulang kapag nakita nila ‘yun, masasaktan ‘yung magulang, pero ano ‘yun e, pampatibay ng sikmura sa player ‘yun. Tough love."