Welcoat a win away

Philippine Basketball League commissioner Chino Trinidad was ready to turn down Shark’s protest due to lack of merit yesterday but it was withdrawn by the team itselt earlier in the day, upholding Welcoat’s controversial 76-75 victory in Game 5 of the PBL Challenge Cup finals even as he vowed to undertake efforts to further improve the quality of officiating in the league.

"Upon careful review and recommendation of the Technical Committee and weighing all viable options available to the Office of the Commissioner, I ruled that Shark’s protest cannot be given merit and the result (of Game 5) stand as is," said Trinidad.

But even before Trinidad came out with his decision, Shark team owner Raul Panlilio had already withdrawn their protest.

"Whatever is the decision of the PBL commissioner is not important to us anymore because we believe in fair play and sportsmanship," said Panlilio, who decided to withdraw the protest Monday morning.

With the controversy now settled, Welcoat tries to wrap up the series as it plays Shark at 3:30 p.m. today in Game 6 of their best-of-seven showdown at the Makati Coliseum.

"We will definitely go for it in Game 6," said Welcoat coach Junel Baculi, who is seeking a fifth title as a coach and fourth straight for the team.

The Paint Masters lead the Power Boosters, 3-2, thanks to Villoria’s go-ahead basket in the dying seconds and referee Noli Quilingquen’s non-shooting foul call on Villoria off Shark’s Roger Yap that preserved the victory but drew protests from the Shark’s camp.

Trinidad said those kind of calls they would try to avoid in the future, stressing that "his office will spare no effort in its continued quest for better officiating in the league.

"But we will have to live and die with the call of our referees. The Commissioner’s Office can prepare them physically and mentally through regular workouts but we cannot influence their decision," said Trinidad.

The PBL chief stressed that had he reversed Quilingquen’s decision, it would have set a dangerous precedent which could be detrimental to the league.

In this regard, PBL chairman Dioceldo Sy strongly recommended to amend the league rules on officiating, giving the technical committee the power to reverse questionable judgment calls in the last two minutes of play.

At the same time, Welcoat team owner Raymond Yu and team manager Dennis de Guzman commended Shark’s decision to withdraw the protest and Trinidad’s wisdom on upholding the Paint Masters’ victory.

"Like Shark and the rest, we want all PBL games decided on the merit of talent, gameplans and teamwork and not by erroneous calls," said Yu.

He added: "We know the referees are human and are bound to commit honest mistakes. But there is room for improvement which the league will have to tackle."