PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro clarified that goaltending and basket interference are subject to review at any time within regulation. Such reviews are no longer allowed after the game clock expires.
On the heels of what was a rather unconventional but definitely controversial end to Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, the PBA technical committee on Monday issued further clarification on what transpired between San Miguel and TNT.
The call in question is centered around Mo Tautuaa’s negated go-ahead dunk in the final minute of regulation, which initially gave the Beermen a 98-97 lead with 56 seconds remaining.
After around 50 seconds of game play, during a deadball triggered by a jump ball, officials reviewed the play and took the basket away, saying it was basket interference.
Appearing on Monday’s episode of The Starting Lineup, PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro reiterated that a review was made because of a league rule change first adopted in 2019.
[Related: PBA explains basket interference call on Mo Tautuaa late in Game 1 of TNT-SMB Finals]
“There was a basket interference that happened. Back in 2019, there was a rule change that we had regarding basket interference and goaltending. With or without a call, we can initiate a review,” Castro said.
Before 2019, reviews for such calls are only allowed if the game is inside two minutes left in regulation.
Castro also clarified a statement made Sunday during the initial press conference after the game, saying that the call is no longer reviewable if the game had ended.
[Related: PBA: Mo Tautuaa expresses frustration after dunk ruled as interference in SMB’s Game 1 loss]
The deadball with 6.2 seconds left, which was a jumpball between Jordan Heading and Chris Ross, ultimately allowed officials to review and make a final decision.
“Last night, I just want to correct myself, we can no longer correct the goaltending and basket interference once the game clock has expired,” Castro said.
“None of the three referees were able to make a call. All three were unsure na there was a basket interference. Kung may referee na pumito, we could have stopped the game and outright reviewed it.”
[Related: Chot Reyes on controversial call on Tautuaa: 'We're already saying it looked like an interference’]
Castro also addressed San Miguel supposed protest, or lack thereof.
“San Miguel officials went to our office early this morning to file protest. But they did not push through because of the press con that happened right after the game, that supposedly preempted their protest,” Castro said.
“There was a protest letter that was submitted, but it didn’t push through anymore.”
[Related: No protest for San Miguel after controversial Game 1 loss in PBA Finals: 'Exercise in futility’]
In a text message to One Sports, team manager Gee Abanilla said the Beermen opted to no longer protest as “it was an exercise in futility.”
As it stands, the finish to Game 1 of the Finals is resolved and the Tropang 5G are taking a 1-0 lead into Game 2 against the Beermen, which is set for Wednesday, July 16.