Three refs sacked; 3 more under fire

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) yesterday cracked the whip on erring game officials as it sacked the three referees who officiated the Red Bull Barako-Barangay Ginebra game last Wednesday with three more set to be suspended anytime this week.

Boy Cruz, Joey Calungcaguin and Manolito Quilengin were suspended indefinitely after disregarding standard procedures on double calls set by the league’s technical committee headed by Perry Martinez.

"There are procedures and guidelines on how to call it in case of a double whistle. These were not followed," Martinez told The STAR.

Three more referees were under probe for mishandling their chores last Saturday. These are Ogie Ramos, Renato Fabrez and Joel Nicolas, who drew criticisms following their poor handling of the match between Red Bull Barako and Purefoods that was dragged into three overtimes in Antipolo City.

Martinez will submit today his recommendation on Ramos, Fabrez and Nicolas to commissioner Noli Eala, who arrived recently from the PBA board meeting in Hong Kong.

"Obviously, there is really much to be desired in officiating," said Martinez, who reviewed the game tape with Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio yesterday morning at the league’s office in Pasig City.

"We’ll make recommendations to commissioner (Noli) Eala as to what sanction will be slapped on these referees," he added.

In the case of Cruz, Calungcaguin and Quilengin, they were suspended for their failure to confer in a critical play involving the game won by the Barakos over the Gin Kings, 101-98. In that play, Cruz granted Ginebra timeout, completely ignoring a foul called on Gin Kings’ import Torraye Braggs by another referee.

On the other hand, Ramos, Fabrez and Nicolas made a number of dubious calls and non-calls. Among these were a dribbling violation by Red Bull guard Junthy Valenzuela; a nudge by Purefoods skipper Alvin Patrimonio in a crucial loose ball scuffle; a deflection by Barako import Victor Thomas on Hotdogs guard Paul Artadi; and a blocking foul by Artadi against Jimwell Torion, who appeared to have warded off Artadi in a driving play.

With three officials already suspended and three more under fire, the league will be left with 13 referees to choose from to work on crucial matches in the on-going Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Conference entering the quarterfinal round.