Referees in GlobalPort-Ginebra tiff suspended for crucial non-calls

MANILA, Philippines – The PBA has suspended two of its referees who worked the knockout game between GlobalPort and Ginebra last Sunday for failing to spot two crucial violations.

In a statement, the PBA said it is suspending referees Rommel Gruta and Edward Aquino for the rest of the Philippine Cup, which is underway.

In a meeting with PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa on Tuesday, Gruta and Aquino reportedly acknowledged the mistakes.

“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,” the PBA said in a statement.

“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,” the league added.

GlobalPort escaped Ginebra in overtime, 84-83, to book its first ever semifinals appearance. But the Batang Pier’s historic win was tainted with controversy in the final play during the overtime period.

After Japeth Aguilar scored three unanswered points to narrow the gap – which eventually ended up as the final score – Globalport was left with eight seconds on the clock and held on to the ball until the buzzer.

Stanley Pringle was trapped by Ginebra defenders near centercourt and passed the ball up just moments before the buzzer, triggering a wild celebration near the Globalport bench.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone cried for a ball-hogging (five-second) violation on Pringle after the buzzer. Replays confirmed Cone’s protest and the referees proceeded to review the tape, but there’s nothing that could change the outcome of the game.

The Kings had until Monday afternoon to file a protest but decided not to.

Apparently, the miscue on the part of the officials was just one of two, according to the PBA’s technical committee.

“The second infraction was the backing violation of GlobalPort’s Stanley Pringle, whose responsibility was that of referee Edward Aquino’s,” the PBA continued.

“The technical committee also determined that only referees Aquino and Gruta were liable for these missed calls.”

“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,” the league ended. – With report from Nelson Beltran