The San Miguel Beermen did not push through with their previous plan to protest the nullified basket of Mo Tautuaa in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup finals.
According to PBA Deputy Commissioner Eric Castro, San Miguel officials went to their office earlier on Monday, July 14, to file a protest, but his impromptu postgame press conference with technical head Bong Pascual on Sunday evening, July 13, preempted this decision.
“There was a protest letter that was submitted, but it did not push through,” said Castro in an appearance on Starting Lineup on Monday evening.
TNT held on for a 99-96 win against the Beermen in Game 1 of the finals on Sunday night, after a late basket by Tautuaa was belatedly nullified due to “offensive interference.”
On Monday, Castro and Pascual reiterated why the league’s technical committee reviewed the sequence and overturned the basket.
“Back in 2019, we changed our rules so that, with or without the call, we can initiate a possible review any time,” said Castro.
But while goaltending violations and the like are reviewable anytime, changing and announcing it can only happen once a dead ball occurs.
“Unfortunately, none of the three referees were able to make a call. All three referees were unsure if there was basket interference. Kung meron lang pumito, we can review and correct right away,” he said.
Castro also corrected his statement, saying that if there were no dead ball between the 56-second mark of the fourth and the final buzzer, Tautuaa’s two points would not have been nullified albeit it still being a violation.
“I want to correct myself. Once the game clock has expired, we cannot correct the goaltend,” he said. “We were just waiting for the next deadball, but if time expired, the score will stand.”
Castro also described the issue as one that was already resolved before assuring fans that their actions were only done to do what was needed to be done according to PBA rules.
“I want to ensure the public that we are doing our job to preserve the integrity of the game,” he insisted. “Regardless, if this was an elimination game, semifinals, or finals, we will do what is correct.” (ABS-CBN News)