MANILA, Philippines—The NCAA may invite Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala when it starts its inquiry into the aborted pullout of PBL referees from the men's basketball Finals.

And Eala said he is willing to face any inquiry to clear himself and the SBP.

PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad, whose referees served as game officials in Season 84 of the NCAA, recently submitted a "sworn statement" to the management committee alleging that Eala called him before the championship decider to discuss the officiating.

"The issue is on the propriety of the call; we'll invite [Eala] and ask his side also," said NCAA management committee member Henry Atayde of College of St. Benilde. "This is about an official of a national sports association calling about the officiating before a game and it almost jeopardized our tournament."

Eala told the Inquirer that as far as he was concerned, "this is a non-issue."

"But since they dragged not only me but also the SBP, it is right that they hear my side and give me a chance to face my accuser."

The controversial incident initially prompted Trinidad to pull out the referees a day before the Game 3 decider.

Trinidad reasoned that his referees had been made scapegoats by certain personalities, but the NCAA Mancom convinced him to reconsider hours before the game by affirming "its support and faith in the integrity of the PBL referees."