Second look

Kung ganitong kadikit
na depensa nga di pinipituhan e

Before anything else, let it be known that this writer is at peace with the BMeg Llamados winning the PBA Commissioner's Cup title over the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters. Tim Cone was coaching and reaching deep into his bag of tricks, James Yap was playing like the University of the East version and not the Purefoods-Mr. Kris Aquino one, and Marc Pingris was putting on a defensive clinic on Ranidel de Ocampo.

BUT... since the game is being replayed this very minute over on AKTV, we couldn't help but look back and question the foul called on Kelly Williams with 1.2 seconds to play that led to the Llamados' import Denzel Bowles to take (and make) two free throws to force overtime (where they had a major advantage in terms of personnel).


Now, right from the get go of Game 7, we are being treated to a bunch of non-calls that would make the Wilmer Ong wish that he could still play professionally. The fouls that are being called are the blatantly obvious ones that directly involve the man with the basketball-- but only when they're path to the basket is being hampered. Bumps, nudges, handchecks and even stiff forearms-- they're all part of the game it seems.

Okay.

But the foul by Williams on Bowles, that was surprisingly called with 1.2 seconds left (referees usually let the players decide the outcome of close games with less than 20 seconds but there's no rule on that), was nowhere near what was being allowed earlier in the game-- or the whole series for that matter.

Bowles, 6"10, got the ball and went up for a putback though "pushed"off-balance by a 6"7 Williams who wanted to contest the shot but opted not to and just stood his ground.

Foul? Yes. Body contact by a defensive player on an offensive player.

PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals foul? Hell no.

Something referees should be forgiven for?

If it were made in the 1st or 2nd quarters, then yes, we'll let it slip. But at such a crucial stage that ultimately cost a team the title? No.

Had the tables been turned, then this writer would've made the same argument for the Llamados. Say, if it were Williams who was going for a game-tying shot with 1.2 and Bowles gave him a slight body bump? We'd be arguing for Bowles all day.

So in some ways, yes, we do sympathize with the Texters and find nothing wrong with their management's decision to "pull out" of the PBA All Star Games in Laoag City. The guys need to rest, and they need to make a stand.

If the PBA is bent on making the games more physical to attract fans then so be it, but games should be called consistently all throughout (which puts a lot of pressure on the referees, but that's their job).