SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals
San Miguel Beermen’s Terrence Romeo during a PBA Philippine Cup semifinals game against Rain or Shine. –PBA IMAGES
DASMARINAS, Cavite—Terrence Romeo’s late three with San Miguel Beer’s Game 3 victory in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals already done and dusted didn’t sit well with coach Yeng Guiao and Rain or Shine.
Tensions flared after Wednesday’s 117-107 win at City of Dasmarinas Arena here after Romeo converted an open three with three seconds left, prompting Guiao to shout some expletives at the Beermen guard and the coaching staff.
“It’s basic respect,” Guiao said. “We all know that San Miguel is a class organization and we’re friends with all of their coaching staff and their bosses. So that’s just a minimum requirement for respect.
READ: PBA: San Miguel nears sweep of Rain or Shine, finals berth
Romeo had to be restrained by teammates after also blowing his top upon being called upon by Guiao at the end of the game.
San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent preferred to stay mum when asked by the media, but was seen on television owing accountability to Romeo’s decision to take the shot.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao during a PBA Philippine Cup semifinals game against San Miguel Beermen. –PBA IMAGES
There’s an unwritten rule among teams, particularly those on the winning side, to not take any shots in the dying seconds as a sign of respect to the losing opponent.
READ: PBA: Rain or Shine won’t make things easy for San Miguel
But that has been accepted in the eliminations when teams had to pad up the winning margin which could be used as quotient for possible tiebreaking scenarios.
“Terrence isn’t one of the new guys in this league, and he knows that in the semifinals, there’s no quotient needed,” said Guiao. “Nagulat din ako sa nangyari kasi bastuhan ang labas.
“I think the mere fact that they’re the top seed, they’re the best team, they’ve had the best record, they’ve had the best talent should make them a class organization by giving due respect dun sa mababa sayo. Ayaw mo naman mabastos pero babastusin ka lang so it’s just an expression of disappointment that you expect to end with respect for each other.”