GlobalPort Batang Pier celebrate.. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
The PBA has suspended two of its referees for crucial non-calls in the knockout quarterfinals game between GlobalPort and Ginebra Sunday night.
Referees Rommel Gruta and Edward Aquino are banned for the rest of the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup after a deliberation by the PBA technical committee on Tuesday, according to a statement on the league’s website.
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“In their opening statement, the referees accepted that they missed the call, they were apologetic and were ready to face the sanctions that would be imposed on them,” the statement said.
Gruta missed a 5-second ball hogging violation during a crucial stretch in overtime while Aquino failed to call a backing violation on Batang Pier guard Stanley Pringle.
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Four referees, including the substitution, oversaw the game but the PBA said “only referees Aquino and Gruta were liable for these missed calls.”
The non-calls paved way for GlobalPort to escape with an 84-83 semifinals-clinching victory.
“As a result of these two non-calls, Barangay Ginebra was denied final ball possession,” the statement also read.
Ginebra head coach Tim Cone signed the scoresheet after the game giving them an option to put the game under protest but no formal complaint was submitted to the PBA Commissioner’s Office.