TnT-Ginebra replay sought

PBA commissioner Noli Eala hinted yesterday the possibility of ordering a replay of the Talk N Text-Ginebra duel last Friday after the PLDT franchise put the outcome under protest, contesting it should have won the game had the referees not nullified a buzzer-beating basket by Asi Taulava in the first extra period of the double-overtime game.

"We have reviewed the tape and read past cases. But I want to see first the protest then allow Ginebra (people) to comment if they want to. I’ll make the decision probably Monday. There’s the possibility of a replay because that’s what Talk N Text is asking for.

We’ll make the decision in accordance with the PBA rules," said Eala.

Talk N Text officials filed the formal protest with the corresponding P3,000 bond shortly before noon yesterday. Eala, however, didn’t see the protest as the league commissioner had to leave his office early to catch his 12:30 p.m. flight for Dumaguete where San Miguel and Shell were to play last night.

Talk N Text wanted a replay, convinced its protest had technical basis – and not merely questioning a judgment call. Without technical basis, Talk N Text’s protest won’t prosper as called for by the league rules.

"The game-winning basket was made with the remaining time of .02 second and, therefore, the shot should be counted," said Talk N Text board representative Ricky Vargas in their letter of protest.

"The ruling by the referees should not be entirely considered a judgment call but in fact a technicality, considering the shot and the call was made in the dying seconds and determined the outcome of the game," Vargas added.

Eala said the decision to count a goal is traditionally a judgment call but the commissioner added there was an incident in the past that put technicality on a judgment call. He cited the Shell-Purefoods match in 1991 ordered to be replayed by then commissioner Rudy Salud.

"The question is whether the condition previously ruled upon by the Commissioner’s Office is existing in Friday’s game. Is there a basis to rule technicality on this case?" said Eala.

Had the referees not nullified a toss-in by Taulava off an airball by Jimmy Alapag, the Phone Pals would have won the game at 112-110. Referees Wilbert Culanag, Joey Calungcaguin and Boy Cruz concurred the basket was made after the final buzzer sounded but repeated slo-mo replay of that particular play clearly showed Taulava making the basket in the nick of time.

The Talk N Text board representative made a strong statement exclusively printed by The STAR after losing the match. He said: "As far as we are concerned, we won the game. The whole Philippines knew that. Ginebra played with its heart out, it’s not fair to them, too. An injustice to the game. The referees should be fired."

Meanwhile, Talk N Text, after its two-game winning streak halted in its controversial duel versus Ginebra, decided to finally sign up free agent Noli Locsin yesterday. The bull-strong forward was given a contract for the rest of the conference worth around P70,000 a month.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer took advantage of Chris Jackson’s ouster in the second half due to a cut on the face as it hacked out an 89-81 win over the slumping Shell squad in a road game in the Samsung PBA All-Filipino Cup at the Lamberto Macias Sports Center here last night.

The Beermen broke away from a tight duel as Jackson was forced to sit out precious minutes after suffering a cut on his face on a collision with Dorian Peña with 5:12 left in the third quarter.

They hang tough as the Turbo Chargers tried to come back in the fourth quarter, pulling off a second straight win that had coach Jong Uichico’s squad tying the Alaska Aces in the lead in Group A with identical 4-2 win-loss cards.

Danny Ildefonso reported back to active duty in the contest and put in some numbers, helping the Beermen deal the Turbo Chargers a fifth straight loss.

Wallowing in the cellar in Group B, the Turbo Chargers came out strong, dominated the first half and were still ahead at 51-50 when they lost Jackson.