Board representative Ricky Vargas and team manager Virgil Villavicencio, after a meeting Saturday, were one vocal in saying that they recommended to Talk ‘N Text big boss Manny V. Pangilinan that they play the final game of their best-of-five series against the Kings.
But like Reyes, the two team officials are also begging that the Tropang Texters be given a fair share of the officiating – the main issue for the team’s stunning walkout and eventual forfeiture of Game 4 Friday night.
Villavicencio met with PBA officials led by commissioner Sonny Barrios then talked to TNT officials, including Pangilinan, where he also recommended that they show up for Game 5.
The do-or-die encounter between the Kings and Tropang Texters is set at 6:30 p.m. with the winner meeting top-seed Alaska in the best-of-seven semi-finals.
Lost in the controversy surrounding the Ginebra-Talk 'N Text series is the similar sudden-death between Rain or Shine and Purefoods, a series the Elasto Painters seek to steal and become the first nintth-seeded ball club to make it to the semi-finals.
The Elasto Painters leveled their own series at 2-2 following a thrilling 103-100 win over the Giants in Game 4.
The winner in the series will square off with No. 2 San Miguel Beer.
The Tropang Texters forfeited Game 4 after walking out of the game with a minute remaining in the opening quarter and the Kings leading, 27-20.
That incident was sparked when lead referee Throngy Aldaba slapped a flagrant foul-2 against Ranidel De Ocampo after the Talk ‘N Text forward hit Ronald Tubid with his elbow on the face while the Ginebra guard was driving strong to the basket.
Under PBA rules, any contact above the shoulder gets an automatic flagrant foul-2.
Reyes admitted he is still at a loss, stressed that if ever they see action Sunday, the Tropang Texters would be one key man down after the PBA upheld Aldaba’s decision that meant a one-game suspension on De Ocampo.
"It’s hard for us to process right now because we are a very demoralized team. We feel we are in the short end of the stick," said Reyes. “Our mindset is very demoralized and without Ranidel, who gives you 12 points and 10 rebounds more or less, it’s really very sad."
Again, Reyes said that all he wants is for the referees to call it fair. "I just hope the refs allow us to play."
Barrios, meanwhile, said that Talk ‘N Text’s fine for walking out and not returning has not yet been finalized. It is, however, written on the league’s constitution that the minimum penalty is P500,000.
Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, for his part, said that he is hoping that the officiating wouldn’t be affected in any way. "I just hope that there will be no undue influence because of what happened."
Source: Author Unknown | GMANews.TV
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