The offensive basket interference call on Mo Tautuaa late in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals naturally didn’t sit well with the San Miguel Beermen.
San Miguel intended to file a formal protest but opted not to do so on the heels of a controversial 96-99 loss to TNT in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals.
The Beermen were contesting the offensive basket interference called on Mo Tautuaa after his dunk with 56 seconds left to play, which initially gave San Miguel a 98-97 lead.
The play was only reviewed 50 seconds later, when there was finally a dead ball after Chris Ross and Jordan Heading scrambled for the loose ball and were whistled for a jump.
Tautuaa’s made basket was eventually nullified, as Calvin Oftana later made two free throws to seal TNT’s 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven.
The decision naturally didn’t sit well with San Miguel, and the team initially planned to file a protest.
"We had the letter prepared but we thought it was an exercise in futility since they preempted our arguments with their press con last night,” SMB team manager Gee Abanilla told One Sports via text message.
Abanilla was referring to PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro and technical committee head Bong Pascual putting up a press conference to shed the light on the call shortly after the match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
[Related: PBA explains basket interference call on Mo Tautuaa late in Game 1 of TNT-SMB Finals]
“As you’ve seen in the replay when Mo dunked the last 56 seconds, nahila niya yung ring,” said Castro.
“Regardless kung may tamaan siya na part ng ring, the fact na nahila niya yung ring pababa is a violation already, considered offensive basket interference,” he added.
Tautuaa also didn’t hide his disappointment after what was supposed to be the go-ahead basket for the Beermen.
“So I’m starting by saying I’m mad, but I don’t wanna get fined so not gonna say much on it,” he said.
“We all saw the play. I’ve seen that a lot of times, I don’t agree with the call. That’s it.”
With no protest filed, the Beermen now shift their focus and energy on Game 2 which is set Wednesday, July 16, at the same venue.
Gametime is at 7:30 p.m.