MANILA, Philippines – Nagdesisyon ang Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Office na suspendihin ang referees na sina Edward Aquino at Rommel Gruta sa buong panahon ng 2015-2016 Philippine Cup.
Base sa statement na inilabas ng Commissioner’s Office, inamin ng dalawang referees ang mga pagkukulang nito sa krusyal na sandali ng bakbakan ng Globaport at Barangay Ginebra noong Linggo kung saan nagwagi ang una sa overtime, 84-83.
“All the referees were present in the meeting with the Commissioner. In their opening statement, the referees accepted that they missed the call; they were apologetic and were ready to face the sanctions that would be imposed on them,” nakasaad sa statement ng PBA.
Dalawang pagkakamali ang hindi tinawagan.
Una ang five-second violation na dapat sana ay itinawag ni Gruta at ang ikalawa ay ang backing violation ni Stanley Pringle ng Globalport sa huling segundo ng laro na naganap sa harap ni Aquino.
“In the deliberation with the technical committee, it was determined that two (2) violations were not called. One was the 5-second ball hogging violation which, was the responsibility of referee Rommel Gruta,” ayon sa PBA.
“The second infraction was the backing violation of Globalport’s Stanley Pringle, whose responsibility was that of referee Edward Aquino’s. The technical committee also determined that only referees Aquino and Gruta were liable for these missed calls,” dagdag pa ng PBA.
Ligtas naman sa parusa ang ikatlong referee na si Bing Oliva dahil malinaw na nasa malayong lugar ito nang maganap ang aksiyon.
“As a result of these two non-calls, Barangay Ginebra was denied final ball possession. The technical committee decided that both referees shall be suspended for the rest of the ongoing Philippine Cup effective immediately,” pagtatapos ng PBA.
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Lalarga ang Game 1 ng duwelo ng Batang Pier at Aces sa Lunes (Enero 4) sa Mall of Asia Arena sa Pasay City.
Magtutuos naman sa hiwalay na best-of-seven semifinals series ang nagdedepensang San Miguel Beer at Rain or Shine.
Sasambulat ang Game 1 ng kanilang serye sa Enero 5 sa MOA Arena.