PetroGazz Angels lose game 1 of the PVL Reinforced Conference. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—This controversy just added another layer to Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference finals.
Creamline took Game 1 with 24-26, 25-16, 25-16, 25-22 a PetroGazz in a match that ended in a controversial fashion.
The Angels were trying to force a fifth set and fought for dear life in the fourth frame, only for their bid to end on an overreach error called on Cherry Nunag.
READ: Creamline outlasts PetroGazz to close in on PVL crown
Replays showed Nunag dump the ball to the Cool Smashers’ side of the court but it took first referee Yul Bernosa more than a second to blow his whistle.
“If the referee called it, he should’ve called it immediately instead of letting the play go through,” said Nunag in Filipino after the Game 1 loss. “The rally still went on before the call was made.”
“That’s just unacceptable because the point was wasted and there was a call like that. The referee took his time to make the call.”
Nunag, though, vehemently denied the overreach, saying she did not have contact with the ball in the first place.
“That wasn’t an overreach because it didn’t touch my hand, because if it did then the ball would’ve changed direction,” said Nunag.
The Angels have a chance to send the series to a deciding game on Saturday.