PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro and supervisor of officials Bong Pascual were noticeably not in their usual positions in the technical officials' table for Game 3 of the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup Finals.
Commissioner Willie Marcial, however, clarified that the two key members of the technical committee were at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum for Friday’s game to continue fulfilling their duties as game officials - just away from the public glare.
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Aside from Castro and Pascual, Marcial said an additional referee, aside from the four assigned to call the games, was deployed during the game and situated in the technical committee table to also lend a hand in the officiating.
A referee at the technical committee table was also assigned in Game 2.
“Nandoon ‘yung fourth man (referee) tapos isang Class A referee na hindi tumatakbo, tapos silang tatlo (referees) nagtu-tulong tulong na sila. Kahit anong mangyari, ‘yung ibang technical committee, nandoon to assist sa video,” said Marcial.
“Pero ang magdedesisyon pa rin, last say, referees na dati naman nating ginagawa,” said Marcial.
The adjustment came on the heels of a controversial Game 1 of the title series that saw a dunk by Mo Tautuaa with 56 seconds left in the fourth quarter nullified with six seconds remaining following a review by the PBA technical committee.
TNT won the series opener, 99-96.
Following the incident, San Miguel has racked up two straight victories including a convincing 108-88 win over TNT in Game 3 on Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
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