Breaking 2-2: Heat rises

MANILA, Philippines —  Talks about the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals are no longer confined to which between defending champion TNT and Meralco on one end and Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine on the other will seize control after a 2-2 standoff and move on the doorstep of a Last Dance stint.

After Wednesday’s Game 4, discussions about the presence of a high-ranking official, particularly the team governor, on the bench of his team also cropped up.

The issue sprouted from the spat between Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao and Barangay Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua, who had a heated exchange both game-time and post-game in ROS’ series-tying 97-85 win.

Guiao alleged that Chua was “intimidating” the referees when contesting a call, claiming the latter should “leave the complaining to the coaches and players.” The Gin Kings exec countered that Guiao should “stick to coaching his team.”

The question thus arises: Do members of the board of governors have to be on their teams’ bench?

‘Rules clear on proper behavior, decorum’                                             

“For proper perspective, governors are not prohibited from sitting on the bench. However, there are clear rules governing proper behavior and decorum for players, coaches, and all those seated on the bench, which apply to governors as well,” said PBA chairman Ricky Vargas.

“It is crucial that these rules are implemented fairly by game and technical officials with maximum tolerance to allow the bench to air its views on unfair calls in a firm and respectful manner as allowed by the rules and its intent,” added the league exec, who also serves as TNT governor.

Commissioner Willie Marcial said this practice has been done since the early years of the pro league.

“Ever since pumasok ako ng PBA noong 1980s, ginagawa na ‘yan. Naalala ko pa maski team owner like Miss Nikki Coseteng umuupo sa bench,” Marcial said, referring to the former senator whose family owned the Gallerie Dominique franchise.

As for the referees, Marcial said he trusts them to make the right call – whoever is complaining.

“Alam na nila kung ano ang gagawin sa mga ganyang sitwasyon. Sanay na rin ang mga ‘yan,” he said.

The Guiao-Chua altercation is expected to further fire up both ROS and Ginebra as they dispute a pivotal 3-2 lead tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Now, it’s a (virtual) best-of-three. Whoever wins Game 1 of a best-of-three has more than (a) 50-percent chance of winning the series. So I think the biggest game is going to be on Friday,” said Guiao.

Game time is at 7:30 p.m.

the Game 5 tiebreaker between defending champion TNT and Meralco at 5:15 p.m.