Fernandez: NLEX got ‘robbed’ in OT loss to Meralco

Video by Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net

NLEX head coach Boyet Fernandez claimed his team was “robbed” of a win against Meralco on Sunday night.

The Road Warriors got swept by the Bolts in the quarterfinals after losing, 91-85, in overtime in a game they led by as much as 20 points in the third quarter.

Fernandez took the blame for NLEX’s collapse but also pointed the finger at “somebody else”—perhaps a reference to the referees. But the former San Beda Red Lions’ multi-titled mentor did not go into detail.

“It’s a painful loss for us. We were up so much. Credit to the Bolts they came back and they beat us in overtime,” said Fernandez. “I will not even blame somebody for this loss. I take this loss, wala eh lamang ng 18 tapos talo pa so I take that blame. Bobo coach. But I hope the commissioner will just see the tape.”

“I watched my players after the game. They were crying not because we lost that game but [because] we were robbed. We were robbed by somebody else. It’s not Meralco. But I’m sure the commissioner knows those people who robbed that game for us,” added Fernandez, who was livid at the sidelines down the stretch and was still furious after the final buzzer.

“[My players] really played well tonight. They stuck with the game plan. I told my players ‘you don’t have to be ashamed of yourselves.'”

The Road Warriors took a significant step in their progress this conference after finishing just 10th in the Philippine Cup.

“Again, I will not take away the achievement that my players have done. From No.10 we made it to No.4 and we improved a little bit in our defense and offense.” JN