PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said a meeting between the head coach or representative of San Miguel and TNT, and the referees, will be held before the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals.
The PBA is making sure there won’t be any hiccups as far as officiating is concerned when San Miguel and TNT kick off the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said the league is inviting the head coaches or representatives from both teams on the eve of the series opener in order to shed light on how things will be called.
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“Nag-board meeting kami nung Thursday, pinag-usapan namin na dalawang head coach or coaching staff pupunta sa PBA tomorrow para kausapin mga referees na ia-assign namin sa Finals para makita appreciation sa tawagan; pano tawagan, magkaroon ng kaunting liwanag mga coaches pati mga referees,” said Marcial during the Finals press conference Monday, Jan. 19.
This came on the heels of the PBA suspending referee Jeff Tantay after missing what was supposed to be a crucial foul by Calvin Oftana as CJ Cansino went for a layup in the dying seconds of Game 5 of the semifinals between TNT and Meralco.
The Tropang 5G went on to clinch the series with a thrilling 99-96 win at the Big Dome. Later that night, Marcial announced they are suspending Tantay indefinitely.
[ALSO READ: PBA referee suspended for missing crucial foul by Oftana against Cansino in semis Game 5]
Marcial said there’s no room for error for the referees especially in high stakes matches in the playoffs, adding the league would mete out suspensions if need be.
“Tulad ngsinabi ng mga players, depende sa gising. Pero sa referees kailangan talaga laging handa. Masusupinde sila o baka matanggal sila,” he said.
The best-of-seven finale starts on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Rey Nambatac raring to make difference in TNT-San Miguel Philippine Cup Finals duel]
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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.