FEU Tamaraws protest loss to Ateneo Blue Eagles

Chris Newsome of Ateneo and Michael Tolomia of FEU goes after the ball, at the Smart Araneta. INQUIRER PHOTO/AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University has placed under protest its overtime loss to Ateneo Saturday, citing the “misapplication” of rules on video replay in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.Ateneo claimed the No. 1 spot after edging FEU in overtime, 68-64, after the Tamaraws blew a 19-point advantage in the last six minutes of regulation.

FEU coach Nash Racela, in a letter sent to tournament commissioner Andy Jao Monday, questioned the timing in correcting Von Pessumal’s shot, which was first deemed as a two-pointer at the 3:20mark and later changed into a three-pointer with 27 seconds left in regulation.

“Reviewing a play that happened three minutes before is not allowed as per UAAP rules… [and the review] should have been done in the first dead-ball opportunity,” said Racela.

“We are protesting the misapplication of the UAAP rules on video replay (which is clearly a technicality) and not in any way a judgment matter on the part of the officials,” added Racela.

“This grave error determined the outcome of the game.”Regulation ended at 59-all.Jao said he’ll “study the protest carefully” and may issue a decision Tuesday.