SMBeer to pursue TnT protest with board

MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beer is leaning towards the resolution of its protest against Talk n Text’s victory in Zamboanga City last Saturday with the PBA board which it deemed the right body to tackle the dispute.

The Beermen also questioned PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios’ decision to give the Texters a grace period of one hour to report for the game in proper uniform.

At the same time, SMB top official Robert Non stressed they’re only for “adherence to league rules” as they pursued the protest by filing separate letter of complaints to the Commissioner’s Office and the PBA board of governors.

Non said he’s been told by board chairman Lito Alvarez that he’ll convene the board to discuss the case in a meeting before the final play date of the KFC PBA Philippine Cup double-round elimination phase Friday.

“We just want the rules to be followed. We have long standing rule that says a team should be ready to play in proper uniform come game time,” said Non.

“That Purefoods (San Miguel sister team) may benefit from a possible reversal of the outcome of the game is just a consequence of the real issue which is adherence to league rules,” Non said.

“Sta. Lucia knew what happened (in Zamboanga). It’s a shame if we don’t pursue the protest,” Non said.

Aside from Purefoods, Sta. Lucia is the other team that would benefit if Talk n Text’s win over San Miguel is reversed. The Giants, the Realtors and the Tropang Texters are locked in a tight battle for the two remaining outright seats in the quarterfinals.

The Texters edged the Beermen, 93-91, in Zamboanga on a gutsy drive by Jimmy Alapag in the closing seconds.

The Beermen, however, insisted the Texters should have automatically lost the game by default as they were not in the proper uniform (light color) at gametime.

The right set of jerseys was flown in and reached the playing venue almost an hour behind the original 5 p.m. schedule. The opening tip was made at 6 p.m.

“They (the Talk n Text team) knew beforehand that they left the right set of uniforms in Manila. Why didn’t they do something to solve the problem right away?” asked Non.

“And why the grace period? There’s nothing in our rule book that calls for a grace period,” he said.

Meanwhile, Alaska tries to formalize its entry to the semifinals while Barako Bull fights for life as they take on separate opponents in the penultimate playdate of the double-round elims.

The Energy Boosters clash with the Coca-Cola Tigers at 5 p.m. while the Aces tangle with the Burger King Whoppers at 7:30 p.m.

A victory by the Aces would give them outright semis entry while the Energy Boosters shoot for a win that will give them a possible playoff shot at the last seat in the wild card round.