PBA admits referees made crucial mistakes in semis openers

TALK ‘N TEXT’S Jimmy Alapag (left) FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Talk ‘N Text’s Jimmy Alapag stepped out of bounds with 22 seconds left and Air21’s Asi Taulava committed a traveling violation at 1:22 mark of the fourth quarter in separate semifinals games.

The PBA admitted on Wednesday the referees missed those crucial calls during both semis series openers.

And those glaring mistakes, had those been avoided, would’ve changed the complexion of the game especially with both Game 1s going down-the-wire.

“In game 1 of the Talk N’ Text and Rain or Shine Semifinals on April 28, the game officials missed an out-of-bounds violation that should have given ball possession to Rain or Shine at the 22 second mark of the 4th quarter,” the PBA posted on its official Twitter account.

“In game 1 of the San Mig Super Coffee and Air 21 Semifinals on April 29, the game officials failed to spot a travelling violation on Asi Taulava that led to a 2-point basket for Air 21 at the 1:22 mark of the 4th quarter,” the post read.

A livid Mixers head coach Tim Cone was sent out of the court after walking towards the other end of the court protesting the referees missed call on a supposed traveling violation by Taulava that led to a layup and a 95-88 lead by the Air21 Express, who eventually won, 103-100.

Painters head coach Yeng Guiao also resented the costly error made by the referees that led to a free throw by Texters forward Ranidel de Ocampo during their 85-91 loss to the Tropang Texters last Monday.

“I thought there were bad calls all around. The out-of-bounds by Alapag was a clear out-of-bounds and the refs did not call it. It’s very difficult for us to get breaks but we just have to create our own breaks and work a little harder next time,” Guiao said on Monday.

Unfortunately, both instances were not “reviewable” and “thus not correctable under the rules.”

The PBA also said that it has taken the “appropriate disciplinary and corrective measures on the erring referees.”

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