Kings strike back on TNT walkout

Barangay Ginebra tagged as unfair, unprofessional, and unsportsmanlike the recent forfeiture made by Talk ’N Text of Game Four of their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup game last Friday.

Gin Kings’ alternate governor Robert Non and head coach Jong Uichico said Talk ’N Text head coach Chot Reyes is citing out of context the game statistics to show the Tropang Texters were not getting the right calls in the best-of-five series.

Barangay Ginebra won the game, 27-20, when the Talk ’N Text team refused to return to the floor. Fans were angered with the Talk ’N Text team’s move as they sought ticket refunds. Internet sites, including the PBA’s own forum, were flooded with criticisms about it.

“If Chot (Reyes) is saying that they are not getting the right calls based on statistics, then he is only quoting the statistics that he wants to serve his and his team’s ends and as a lame excuse to justify the walkout,” said Non.

“There are ways to voice their displeasure, if there is reason to do so, and not finishing the game is not one of them,” Non added.” It is unjust to the fans, unfair to the PBA organization, unprofessional for a professional team like Talk ’N Text and unsportsmanlike.”


thanks to Dennis Principe for the video

Uichico cited that based on the 18-game statistics released by the PBA prior to the playoffs, Talk ’N Text is No.3 as the most fouling team with 27.17 per game while Barangay Ginebra is the least fouling team at 25.67 per game.

He further added that TNT is the least fouled team at No. 9 with 24.61 per game.

“Its maybe because Talk ’N Text tends to shoot more from the outside than play inside in the lane as compared to Ginebra,” said Uichico, who also cited that Ginebra plays aggressively inside and that is the reason why the team is the third most fouled in the PBA with 26.89 per game.

“The statistics do not lie, too. As far back as in the elims, Talk ’N Text has the tendency to foul more and they are also the least fouled. This is not only in the case of Ginebra but all other teams in the league,” Uichico explained.

“In the same grain, Ginebra uses its fouls wisely to preserve on our personnel since we had a depleted lineup in the eliminations. The reason why we were the most fouled team is because we attack the basket more and draw more fouls in the process,” he further added.

“So it is totally unfair for Chot and Talk ’N Text to claim that we are being favored. It is a claim bordering on fiction. We play with our hearts out much more than they do and they know it. And maybe that is the reason why we have more fans than them,” he said. “We play fairly and with lots of passion regardless of the outcome of the game.”

Games Sunday (Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. — Purefoods vs Rain or Shine
6:30 p.m. — Ginebra vs Talk ’N Text

Source: Author Unknown  | Manila Bulletin