University of the Philippines head coach Bo Perasol admitted that the missed 8-second violation late in the fourth quarter of the Fighting Maroons loss to the Ateneo Blue Eagles was crucial.
The referees failed to call an 8-second infraction on Ateneo point guard Jolo Mendoza, who fell just before crossing center court near the four-minute mark with the game tied at 79.
Instead, UP playmaker Jun Manzo was whistled for a foul.
It was an obvious head-scratcher but Perasol isn’t the type to cry over spilled milk.
“It was really [crucial]. But it happens and I can’t delve on that,” Perasol told reporters after the Maroons’ 96-82 loss. “It’s something they’ve decided on and they can’t reverse that.”
“We have to find a way how we can play through that, but then again, I’m hoping the officials will do a better job [because] we’re exerting effort to win.”