PBA commissioner suspends referee in Rain or Shine-Ginebra game

LA Tenorio vs Gabe Norwood PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines – Upon review, PBA commissioner Chito Salud has suspended referee Jun Marabe after his controversial call against Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood in the dwindling seconds of Barangay Ginebra’s 98-94 win.

Norwood appeared to have cleanly taken the ball away from LA Tenorio but instead was slapped with a personal foul with 16.5 ticks left which led to two free throws by Tenorio that gave the Kings a 97-94 edge.

“Referee Jun Marabe is suspended upon review of the call he made on Gabe Norwood late in the game between Ginebra and Rain or Shine on Sunday, October 7, because of non-observance of the game officials’ respective areas of jurisdiction to make a call and his disregard of the league’s officiating guidelines on loose ball situations,” Salud said in a statement.

“As a result of the foregoing transgressions, it is the finding of this office that he grossly erred in judgement when he assessed that play of Norwood on LA Tenorio to be a foul,” Salud added.

It was crucial call that clearly affected the outcome of the game. Jeff Chan had the chance to tie the count but his three-pointer was way off before Mark Caguioa iced the game with a free throw.

Marabe will be suspended for three weeks and the suspension covers a total of 11 game days.