SMB-Ginebra game officials suspended over free throw ‘drama’

Ross was not able to escape sanctions while his comments about the controversial free throw moment were slapped with PHP25,800 worth of fines. (Photo: PBA/Facebook)

MANILA — The PBA suspended the table officials involved in the San Miguel-Ginebra game following a controversial finale to Sunday night’s match.

On Tuesday, the league penalized book scorer Lito Mendegoria, courtside announcer Noel Zarate, and referees Noy Guevarra, Jimmy Mariano, Gerry Borja, and Mardy Montoya for the free throw “confusion” that marred the game.

With 4.5 seconds left in the game and the Beermen down, 95-98, Guevarra handed the ball to Chris Ross, who was standing closer to the free throw line, to take two free throws off a foul when it was Chico Lanete who was actually fouled.

Upon the time-out by Coach Leo Austria to map out their final play, the referees corrected their error and in the process assessed Ross with a technical foul for deliberately taking the place of Lanete.

SMB eventually lost to Ginebra, 96-100, as the team fell short of coming back from 14 points down.

Ross was not able to escape sanctions while his comments about the controversial free throw moment were slapped with PHP25,800 worth of fines.

Ross, who was assessed with a technical foul earlier in the game, was meted a PHP5,800 fine for both technical fouls, while PHP20,000 was added for his comment that the referees “put the blame on me and covered [their mistake] up by giving me a technical”.

Meanwhile, Troy Rosario was slapped with a PHP5,000 fine for his landing spot foul, which was considered an offense under Flagrant Foul Penalty 1, during the Magnolia-TNT game on Saturday night.