Adamson coach calls for review of supposed end-game whistle in close loss vs UP

MANILA, Philippines -- “Never gave us a chance in the end.” 

Following a narrow loss to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, Adamson head coach Nash Racela reiterated that they heard a whistle from the referee on the last-second heave by Monty Montebon. 

After leading by 10 heading into the final quarter, the Soaring Falcons saw themselves trailing by two, 67-69, late in the ballgame. 

In the final inbounds play, Adamson stole the ball. It eventually went to Montebon, who tried to put up a Hail Mary from three-quarters court as UP’s Dikachi Ududo tried to strip it away from him. 

There was a whistle heard after the buzzer sounded, and Montebon and Racela tried to argue that a foul was called. 

But the final score would stand, giving UP a hard-fought 69-67 win. 

After the game, Racela stressed that they were asking the officials to review what happened. 

"That final sequence, we heard a whistle by the referee. So we were asking them to review it. We really heard the whistle. And then some saw may referee na sumenyas,” he said.

“And when we watched, si Ududo was really after Montebon. Sa amin naman, the minimal thing they could've done was really just to review it. Now kung sabihin nilang hindi, e di hindi. So that was our request,” he added.

“E nag-walk out na sila. Umalis na kaagad sila. Never gave us a chance in the end.” 

Racela stressed that the commissioner’s office should review what happened because the referees have microphones on them. 

“Konting tanong ko nga lang, warning na ako 'di ba? So, I don't know if we have options [to appeal]. But we really heard something. So we heard it,” he said. 

“I think from the commissioner's office they could review because may mic ang referee nila. Sabi nila hindi, hindi nag-whistle. But I think it's their responsibility at least to review it.” 

He also raised his eyebrows on UP not being called for a single foul in the fourth quarter. 

“UP really played one hell of a defense in that fourth quarter. Really made consecutive stops, stop after stop without committing a single foul in the fourth quarter. So, I have to study that so we could learn those also. So that we could do that to [Rey] Remogat, [Veejay] Pre na hindi kami natatawagan ng fouls,” he said. 

“I think they allowed it. And that's what UP did in the third quarter. 'Di ba? Mga dalawang kamay. They call it marginal. So, baka talaga namang very, very marginal.” 

Still, the veteran coach voiced pride on his team, saying UP “survived them today.”

The San Marcelino-based squad is now holding a 3-3 win-loss record, tied with  defending champion La Salle, Ateneo and University of Santo Tomas. 

“Did you expect us to be here? Kayo lang ang makakasagot din.”