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SMART CLARK GIGA CITY – Looks like Kelly Nabong and Arwind Santos have yet to bury the ax.
The two former teammates became embroiled in a pair of physical plays Tuesday night, the latest one that led to Nabong’s disqualification in the final minutes of the PBA Philippine Cup match between San Miguel and NorthPort.
Nabong was sent off after hitting a Santos hard on his way to the basket. It brought the veteran forward to the ground hard and caused a flagrant 1 penalty foul for the NorthPort striker.
Santos got up quickly and was about to face Nabong when cooler heads intervened.
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The commotion opened old wounds for the two players, who also faced each other in an infamous practice fight that also involved former SMB importer Dez Wells and clouded the Beermen’s quest for a grand slam last season.
After the suspensions were imposed, Nabong, who came to Wells’s aid during that November 17, 2019 fight, was traded by the Beermen to NorthPort for Russel Escoto, while Ronald Tubid, who joined the fight to help. his friend Santos, was unsigned.
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Nabong, who also scored Santos with a hard foul on an earlier play. He later spoke to Commissioner Willie Marcial after the game, showing him a small cut on his cheekbone.
Nabong told Marcial that he had already told the referees to watch Santos’ elbow.
Coach Leo Austria, however, played down the incident and said that it is a normal thing between two players who wanted to win.
The Brewers won, 120-99, to stay in contention for a place in the top four and a two-shot lead in the quarterfinals.
