I think it was a cheap play as well.
However, I don't think it was that hard of a spear. Plus, Paukovitch should be wearing a cup which would deflect the stick. What I'm saying is that it was no where near as cheap as the hit Paukovitch put on Bina.
EDIT: Don't take me the wrong way, though. Prpich should not have done that and it does make the team as a whole look dirty and cheap.