No reprieve for Adamson as La Salle win stands; but UAAP suspends refs

UAAP commissioner Rebo Saguisag said there would be no replay of the controversial Final Four duel between La Salle and Adamson: The Green Archers keep their 82-75 victory—and Finals slot—over the Falcons.

“At the moment, again without prejudice to further findings, I don’t think offhand that the mistakes at all were that blatant to warrant a reversal or a replay,” he said in an interview with Sports Desk.

“If it involves judgment calls, that’s not a criteria for protest. They should be technical in nature, like misappreciation of the rules, misapplication of the mechanics.”

Adamson gained a moral victory of sorts, however, after the UAAP suspended the referees who officiated the match.

Saguisag said the technical committee suspended referees Enan Alejo, Ian Borbe and Mollie de Luna indefinitely. Two of them face a possible ban for the rest of the season.

In response to the protest filed by Adamson athletic director Fr. Aldrin Suan, CM, Saguisag said public outrage after the game also prompted him to look into accusations of biased officiating.

Adamson was called for 33 fouls, while La Salle was only whistled for 12. Those calls led to the Archers shooting 26-of-39 from the free throw line, while the Falcons shot just 2-of-5.

Those freebies certainly helped defending champion La Salle overcome a 15-point deficit in the third period.