PBA suspends referee, table official for blunder on Rome Dela Rosa’s three

MANILA, Philippines—The PBA has passed down the sentences to a couple of game officials who worked on Game 7 of the Philippine Cup semifinals series between Magnolia and Rain or Shine.

The league office suspended referee Sherwin Pineda for two games and table official Carlo Santos, who operated the 24-second shot clock, for one game following the controversy in the deciding match.

Magnolia won Game 7, 63-60, to earn a trip to the finals against San Miguel.

READ: Magnolia rallies to beat Rain or Shine in Game 7, books finals rematch 

In that game, Rome Dela Rosa was given the three-point field goal that gave the Hotshots the 53-50 lead with 3:30 left but video replays showed that the ball was still in his hands when the shot clock went off.

Unfortunately for Rain or Shine, the shot wasn’t reviewable since it happened before the final two minutes of the game.

League rules say that an official review would only be used for shots taken in the final two minutes.