Narvasa to meet with PBA refs, Ginebra foregoes protest

MANILA, Philippines – PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa called for a technical committee meeting together with PBA referees to assess the controversial end to the quarterfinals knockout match between Barangay Ginebra and Globalport in the 2016 PBA Philippine Cup. 

“Regarding the officiating and to be fair, we have scheduled a hearing for the 4 referees tomorrow, the 29th of December, to determine their performance. After that we shall come out with our official action on them,” said a statement from the Office of the Commissioner.

Narvasa will meet with the 4 referees who officiated the game on Sunday, December 27 – Edward Aquino, Romell Gruta, Mardy Montoya, and Bing Oliva. 

Globalport’s 84-83 win over Ginebra ended in controversy after Ginebra complained that a foul or a 5-second ball hogging violation on Stanley Pringle should have been called in the final 8 seconds of the game.

(READ: Ginebra-Globalport PBA quarterfinals game marred by controversial end)

The eliminated Gin Kings had a chance to file a letter of complaint to the Commissioner’s Office plus a bond of at least P20,000 until noon on Monday, but they did not do so, according to league media bureau chief Willie Marcial. 

“As far as the PBA is concerned the game has already been concluded,” the PBA also said in the statement.

Ginebra was overcome by emotion and left stunned after the final buzzer, with head coach Tim Cone storming into the court pleading to the officials for a review or a call. He eventually signed the official scoresheet and politely declined requests for interview, leaving the Mall of Asia Arena early. 

But he later took to Twitter to assure fans the league’s most popular ballclub will bounce back. 

Players played their hearts out, fans screamed their hearts out. Despite the loss, that makes it a great night. We’ll be back stronger. #NSD

— Tim Cone (@manilacone) December 27, 2015

“That’s what’s good about our PBA ballclubs, they have that spirit of sportsmanship and of being a gentleman,” added Marcial.

It took much longer for fans to get past the stinging loss as the situation ecalated outside of the arena, where fans reportedly threw coins at Globalport forward Jay Washington’s car.

With the win, the Batang Pier barged into the semifinals for the first time in franchise history and will face the Alaska Aces in a best-of-7 series. – Rappler.com