PBA issues ₱20,000 fine after Converge ‘cooking’ gesture in Ginebra quartefinals loss

What should have been remembered purely for a dramatic finish instead carried added consequences for Converge, as the PBA Commissioner’s Office handed down fines following a heated quarterfinal exit at the hands of Barangay Ginebra.

Assistant coach Humperdink Dimatulac and players Justine Baltazar and Mark Denver Omega were each fined ₱20,000 for making a “cooking” gesture during their do-or-die knockout game against the Gin Kings, an act the league deemed inappropriate and unsportsmanlike.

The incident unfolded at the height of tension, with Dimatulac and Baltazar visibly performing the gesture in open view of fans, expressing frustration over officiating calls as the FiberXers struggled to protect their twice-to-beat edge. 

Omega, meanwhile, was caught doing the same motion from the bench, despite not having logged a single game for Converge since being acquired via trade from Rain or Shine following the NCAA season.

All three were summoned by PBA commissioner Willie Marcial on Monday, where they acknowledged their actions and issued apologies.

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Justine Baltazar et al getting fined 20k each for pointing out the obvious is appalling to say the least. If the PBA wants its players/coaches to respect officials, it better ensure that the refs themselves respect the game – assuming the PBA genuinely wants balanced officiating.

— PBA insider (@PBAinsider) January 12, 2026

“Lahat naman sila nag-sorry, nadala sila sa emosyon. Sabi ko, wag na uulitin lalo na ‘yung assistant coach na wag na (provoke) ‘yung mga fans,” Marcial said.

The league’s response underscored its continued emphasis on professionalism, especially during high-pressure games where emotions often run high and gestures can quickly inflame both crowds and online discourse.

The fines came on the heels of a heartbreaking end to Converge’s campaign. Despite holding a twice-to-beat advantage, the FiberXers were eliminated after Stephen Holt drilled an overtime buzzer-beater to lift Ginebra to a 99–98 victory.

Instead of advancing to the semifinals, Converge was left reflecting not only on a missed opportunity but also on a costly lapse in composure—one that turned a single gesture into a league reminder that emotions, no matter how intense, must still stay within bounds.

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