PBA commissioner Willie Marcial handed a suspension to an official after TNT’s Game 5 win over Meralco in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals.
The PBA is suspending a referee in the aftermath of TNT’s Finals-clinching 99-96 win over Meralco in Game 5 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup penultimate round Wednesday, Jan. 14.
Commissioner Willie Marcial made the announcement on the same day after referee Jeff Tantay failed to call a foul on Calvin Oftana in the dying seconds.
“Sa tingin ko, may lapses ang referees doon sa game. May isang referee na sususpendehin, si Jeff Tantay,” Marcial told One Sports.
The first play saw Oftana’s block attempt, which ended up hacking CJ Cansino’s arm in the layup that could have given the Bolts the lead.
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The other incident happened just moments later, with Cansino putting up a heave from the three-point line in hopes of setting up the stage for a possible overtime.
As he took the shot, Cansino also made contact with Oftana.
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Marcial did not specify the length of the suspension, but added that the league will also probe into the other referees’ calls.
“Tapos pag-aaralan pa namin ang ibang referees. Rerebyuhin ko [today],” Marcial said.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.