Mo Tautuaa’s offensive basket interference proved to be a controversial call that marred the epic Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals between TNT and San Miguel.
For coach Chot Reyes, breaks of the game favored TNT in its thrilling 99-96 win over San Miguel in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals Sunday, July 13.
The biggest break happened when officials nullified Mo Tautuaa’s dunk on the 56.1 mark of the fourth quarter, ruling it as an offensive basket interference.
Tautuaa’s flush, which gave the Beermen the upperhand at 97-98, saw the ball bounce off before going in.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Mo Tautuaa expresses frustration after dunk ruled as interference in SMB’s Game 1 loss]
Since there was no dead ball, the review happened only 50 seconds later when Jordan Heading and Chris Ross were about to square off during a jumpball.
Reyes and company saw Tautuaa’s violation as it happened.
“Just when it happened, we’re already saying that it looked like an offensive interference,” Reyes said post-match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
“Good thing that there was a break on that jump ball. They were able to review it.”
The bold decision by the technical committee gave the Tropang 5G the lead back, 97-96, with six seconds left to play.
Calvin Oftana scooped the ball after the jump ball then sank the two pressure-packed free throws that sealed the win for TNT.
PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro immediately explains the call on Mo Tautuaa in the post-game presser. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Asked about the basket interference by Tautuaa, returning Tropang 5G standout RR Pogoy said they were once on the wrong end of such a call.
“'Yong basket interference? Ganoon talaga. Minsan may game din kami dati na ganoon din,” Pogoy said.
[RELATED STORY: PBA explains basket interference call on Mo Tautuaa late in Game 1 of TNT-SMB Finals]
Reyes thought so too.
“That’s part of our game. I’ve been on the opposite side of those breaks in the past, so it’s just something we’re very fortunate [we’re] able to take advantage of,” Reyes said.
Pogoy is leaving it all to the officials as he only focuses on getting better as he finally made his comeback from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for most of the Tropang 5G's semifinal series with Rain or Shine.
“Bahala na ang mga committee doon. Basta kami, laro lang,” said Pogoy, who finished with 23 points to earn the Player of the Game honors.
Game 2 is set Wednesday, July 16, at the Big Dome.