TNT blames low-quality officiating for high-profile walkout

Talk ‘N Text presented the numbers: In the first three games of the Rain or Shine-Purefoods series, Purefoods had a +6 edge in free throw attempts, 79-73. In the first four games of the Ginebra-Talk ‘N Text series, Ginebra enjoyed a +59 edge in free throw attempts, 144-85.

For Talk ‘N Text, the numbers don’t lie. Ejections also don’t come cheap. With one minute to go in the first period, Ginebra ahead 27-20, Ronald Tubid made his way to the basket and collided with Ranidel de Ocampo. On television, some saw Tubid crash into De Ocampo while others saw de Ocampo’s right elbow, albeit straightened not bended, smack Tubid on the face. How one reacts to the events that shortened Game 4 last Wednesday depends on what one saw in that brief yet controversial collision. What we see on television replays isn’t what referees see on video-review monitors. The referees saw a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 against de Ocampo. The referees saw more than enough reason to boot de Ocampo out of the game. And Talk ‘N Text coaches, players and management saw red.

"A man, a team can only take so much," Talk ‘N Text head coach Chot Reyes, who led the team’s exodus into the dugout after de Ocampo was ejected, told reporters during the post-game media briefing. "All we want is a fair chance."



This latest PBA controversy is nowhere near as significant as the C-5 Extension Project’s alleged double-entries. Talk ‘N Text, however, presents numerical irregularities the way politicians highlight overpayments in infrastructure projects during Senate committee hearings. But in the realm of PBA playoff battles and rivalry between corporate giants, Talk ‘N Text is aghast. They’re as aghast as the nation would be in a possible failure of elections. Tama na. Sobra na. Walkout na.

"Talk ‘N Text is playing mind games thinking they can influence officiating for Game 5," Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, visibly exasperated, said moments after the walkout.


thanks to Dennis Principe for the video

Commissioner Sonny Barrios meets with Talk ‘N Text management on the eve of Game 5. Let’s hope they reach a quorum and vote for the resumption of the series on Sunday. Talk ‘N Text already made its point by walking out. They placed officiating under scrutiny for Game 5 and, essentially, for the remainder of the season.

I asked Reyes if he wanted to play on Sunday. He immediately said yes. The coach wants to play. The players want to play. Talk ‘N Text is an organization backed by a business monolith that wants to win. Guess what, Ginebra is exactly the same. So let them collide for one more game, one last time in the conference and let a winner-take all showdown decide who moves on to the semifinals. By walking out of Game 4 last Wednesday, Talk ‘N Text gave Ginebra a free-ride into Game 5 and suggested that the referees were turning the series into a sham. If the Tropang Texters pull-out of the series completely, that would be a shame.

Source: Mico Halili  | GMANews.TV