FEU coach Nash Racela. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Far Eastern University head coach Olsen Racela vented out his frustrations following his team’s third straight loss in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday.
Racela said his Nigerian center Emman Ojoula wasn’t getting any calls throughout the game which he felt played a big part in the Tamaraws’ sorry loss to University of the Philippines.
“It’s just unfair we did not get the calls in the end I felt there were fouls against Emman (Ojoula),” Racela said in Filipino shortly after FEU’s 73-70 setback.
“Actually for the past several games, they’ve been holding Emman. Emman is one the best guys in sealing and they’re not giving him enough credit,” he added. “I’m talking about the officials who aren’t calling fouls despite Emman getting held many times.”
Racela recalled a particular play down the stretch where he thought the officials missed a foul against Ojoula and what should’ve been a traveling violation on UP’s Ricci Rivero which instead led to a basket that gave the Fighting Maroons a 67-64 cushion.
FEU center Emman Ojuola. UAAP PHOTO
“That sequence, Emman was held and Ricci Rivero traveled. In a crucial situation and when it’s a close game, one call or one non-call can make or break the game for us and that’s what happened,” said Racela, whose squad dropped to 3-6.
The PBA legend urged referees to be “more consistent” in making calls.
Racela, though, commended his players for fighting until the final buzzer against a UP side which pushed its winning streak to eight games.
The Tamaraws hope to reverse the losing trend on Thursday in a key clash against National University.
“We’re chasing NU so we need to prepare for them. We have five more games left so it’s still a long season but that game on Thursday will be a crucial one.”