Victolero urges referees to be ‘consistent’ after Magnolia loss in Game 3

ANTIPOLO CITY, Philippines—The championship series between Alaska and Magnolia in the PBA Governors’ Cup got really interesting after the Aces blew out the Hotshots, 100-71, in Game 3 Sunday at Ynares Center here.

Alaska finally wona game in the seven-game series but it’s not just the on court action that got intriguing but also this seemingly budding back-and-forth between the coaches.

Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero called out the referees to show consistency in officiating the game.

“I just want the referees to be consistent. We’re playing hard and we didn’t change anything so I don’t know what happened. I’m calling the attention of the referees,” said Victolero in Filipino. “Alaska’s players are holding my players and I think they can do that but my players aren’t allowed to play our kind of defense.”

Victolero’s statements were similar in nature to what Alaska head coach Alex Compton had to say after the Aces lost Game 2, 77-71.

Compton claimed Magnolia guards Jio Jalalon and Mark Barroca are going over the legal holds with the two Hotshots “karate chopping and tripping” the Aces in the previous game.

The numbers, though, don’t show much difference between the two teams’ alleged physicality.

Magnolia was called for 27 fouls while the Aces were whistled for 24.

Victolero said Compton “did a good job of calling the attention of the referees in the last game.”

“I think he got the referees’ attention when he said that my guards were fouling his players and that my players are playing dirty so the referees are not calling on our side and the referees are calling on their side,” said Victolero.

“Let’s just be consistent, that’s my only request. If they won’t call on us then they shouldn’t call on Alaska. If they will call against us then also call against Alaska.”