FOLLOWING a review of the missed call in last Sunday’s “Manila Clasico,” the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) dropped a heavy penalty in suspending the officiating crew that worked on the game between Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings.
Photo Courtesy: PBA IMAGES
Throughout the game, Barangay Ginebra maintained complete control. The Gin Kings even created a 26-point lead in the first half, only the Magnolia Chicken Timplados to show their version of the “never say die ” attitude often attributed to the crowd darling.
Magnolia took their first lead after a Tyler Bey runaway slam that gave Magnolia an 85-83 score with 3:28 remaining in the third quarter. The close ball game went into the fourth quarter.
Ginebra was down one, 92-91, in the final seconds of a game that might have gone either way when Scottie Thompson attempted an open go-ahead layup which Mark Barroca met him at the top. Thompson was clearly tapped on both hands after the replay, but no foul was called.
The Gin Kings were quick to commit a foul in order to stop the clock. Coach Tim Cone, visibly agitated, stormed onto the court and attempted to challenge, but the Gin Kings had already used up all of their timeouts.
Jio Jalalon went to the line and split his foul shots, while Christian Standhardinger’s long jumper went air ball. This enables Magnolia to complete its comeback from a 26-point first-half deficit and earn its fourth consecutive victory of the season.
Tyler Bey had 31 points and 10 rebounds in his debut ‘Clasico’ appearance, continuing his strong showing for Magnolia. Ginebra’s Bishop and Ahanmisi each tallied 21 points, while Christian Standhardinger had 13 in the Gin Kings’ first loss of the season.
The 26-point lead was considered to be the biggest advantage squandered by Barangay Ginebra since it led by 28 points in the third quarter of its 2019 Governors’ Cup game against NLEX, losing 113-111 in overtime in Dubai.
Meanwhile, PBA Deputy Commissioner Eric Castro issued a statement saying, “Unacceptable. There was contact. We failed to make a call,” talking about the crucial missed call during the Magnolia-Barangay Ginebra game.
“During the game – in real time while the play was on, the game crew did not see a foul. The officials failed to call a foul (missed call) on Barroca against Thompson in the last 11.5 seconds of the 4th quarter.”
“With this, the officiating crew of the game between Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots are suspended for failing to assess the infraction,” the statement went on to say.
Moving on from a disastrous “Manila Clasico” game, the Barangay Ginebra will seek to rebound when they meet Rain or Shine Elastopainters at 8:00 p.m. on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
