Purefoods star import Daniel Orton is now under the microscope after his subpar performance against PBA expansion team KIA Motors on Wednesday night.
But what actually drew the ire of several basketball fans was not his below average scoring output. Orton is now in trouble after his post-game rant wherein he called Manny Pacquiao’s foray into basketball “a joke.â€
“That’s (Pacquiao playing) a joke, part of the joke I’m talking about,†he said in Richard Dy’s report to Spin.ph.
Orton was also irked by the way the referees handled the game, which saw him drawing several fouls.
Saddled with fouls, he wasn’t able to defend KIA’s Peter John Ramos inside the paint, and this allowed the Carnival to take a 95-84 victory against the Hotshots.
Orton was only able to contribute 6 points and 3 rebounds in 19 minutes.
PBA Commissioner Chito Salud has summoned the Purefoods import for his outburst, according to Alder Almo’s report in the Philippine Star.
The NBA veteran is scheduled to meet Salud on Friday at 1 p.m. to explain his side.
“Before the game, I was looking forward to it (matchup with Ramos), because I’m a guy who likes to battle it at the post,†said Orton. “They (referees) really took the game that I know and love and made it into a mockery tonight.â€
Then he took it out against Pacquiao.
“Professional boxer? Yeah. Congressman? Alright. But professional basketball player? Seriously? It’s a joke,†said Orton, the 29th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.
Meanwhile, Purefoods Governor Rene Pardo clarified that Orton’s outburst doesn’t reflect the team’s stand regarding their defeat.
"His statement does not reflect the sentiment of the team," said Pardo in a separate Spin.ph report. "In fact nagkamayan pa nga kami ni Cong. Manny after the game."
He also confirmed that Purefoods coach Tim Cone cancelled the Hotshots' team practice after their second straight defeat.
"Siguro para makapag-isip-isip muna lahat ng mga players," Pardo said.
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