At press time, Talk n Text governor Ricky Vargas said they’ve yet to decide whether or not they would show up for the deciding Game Five tomorrow.
PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios said Talk n Text will be slapped a severe sanction for its action – the third walkout incident in the pro league history.
“Rules are rules, and we have to apply it accordingly. Half a million pesos is a basic amount of fine for a walkout. And it’s up to the commissioner if he sees further compensation that needs to be imposed,” said Barrios.
The Tropang Texters, together with team owner Manny Pangilinan and Smart-PLDT executives, left the venue barely 11 minutes gone in the game with Ginebra on top at 27-20 after the referees called a flagrant foul penalty 2 on Ranidel de Ocampo for a hard foul on a driving Ronald Tubid.
The infraction merits automatic ejection and possible suspension in the next game.
TnT coach Chot Reyes said that the call was the last straw in what they claimed as a spate of biased officiating in the series, prompting them to walk out of the contest.
Reyes said he has tapes and the statistics to back up their action. He cited in particular the fouls called on the team and the free throws awarded to the Kings from the series opener.
“All we want is a fair chance, allow us to defend. Maybe perfect officiating is not possible pero huwag naman sanang garapal (but not this obvious),” said Reyes.
“How far can you push a team like Talk n Text or a company like ours to accept what’s fair? May hangganan yon (There’s limit to it). We did what we had to do because we can’t accept the insult anymore. The stats will bear us out. The facts will speak for themselves,” said Vargas.
Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, however, believed Talk n Text is just trying to play mind games on the referees.
“Maybe they’re not happy with the calls and they’re trying to play mental game on the refs and the commissioner, thinking they can get away with this and change the calls of the refs Sunday,” said Uichico.
“Rules have to be applied. We don’t want this to happen because fans look forward to this game. These are good games to watch,” said San Miguel Corp. top official Henry Cojuangco.
“It’s very unfortunate this thing happened. In the spirit of sportsmanship, they should have returned and played the game,” said Ginebra alternate governor Robert Non.
“There are rules and that’s the reason there are refs to officiate the game. If there’s a flaw, there’s the technical committee to look at it. You can’t be a coach and a referee at the same time,” Non said.
Reyes cited the disparity in fouls called and vehemently questioned the flagrant infraction assessed De Ocampo on his defensive stance against Tubid.
The league commissioner, after reviewing the game tape, expressed belief the referees, in particular crew chief Throngy Aldaba, made the right call.
The Kings were ahead, 27-20, when the Texters walked out of the game.
Ginebra, under coach Sonny Jaworski, also staged a walkout in Game Six of their 1990 First Conference title showdown with Shell. It forfeited the game, lost the series and was subsequently fined P500,000.
In 2006, Red Bull attempted a walkout in a game versus San Miguel.
NOTES: With the game ending in forfeiture, several fans asked for a ticket fee refund. The league commissioner hinted Talk n Text could be held liable.
Source: Nelson Beltran | Philstar.com
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