PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro said they deeply regret the missed call on Calvin Oftana, which could have made a difference in Game 2 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals.
PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro acknowledged the lapse in judgement after a missed call in the dying seconds of Game 2 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals between the TNT Tropang 5G and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Castro was referring to Gian Mamuyac’s foul on Calvin Oftana while taking a shot with 7.7 seconds left in regulation that awarded the TNT winger three free throws.
After review, the referees ruled the said foul happened on the three-point line.
He made all three free throws to send the game into overtime and the Tropang 5G eventually beat Rain or Shine during the extra period.
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But videos from members of the media clearly showed Oftana took off beyond the four-point line. Thus, four shots should have been awarded to the TNT star.
Castro rued blind spots in the crucial missed call that could have allowed the Tropang 5G to win the game in regulation.
“While we strive to provide accurate rulings, our assessments are inherently limited to the footage available within these camera perspectives,” Castro said in a statement posted on the PBA website.
“We deeply regret that this call was missed. This incident highlights that, despite the use of advanced equipment and multiple camera angles, blind spots can and do still exist within live game coverage.”
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Castro assured officials are committed to getting better after this mishap.
“Our players, teams, and fans deserve the highest standards of fairness and accuracy. We acknowledge this lapse and commit to continuously improving our review systems to minimize such occurrences in the future,” he said.
Game 3 is set on Sunday, June 29 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with the Tropang 5G looking to claim a commanding 3-0 lead.