ANTIPOLO CITY - Jojo Lastimosa faces a likely fine after directly going to the table officials following NLEX's 132-106 loss to Blackwater in Saturday's PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Ynares Center.
Lastimosa was obviously frustrated with the officiating specifically against lady referee Janine Nicandro, who the team felt had been calling bad calls against the Road Warriors.
It didn't help any that Nicando even whistled Raul Soyud with a deliberate foul with two seconds remaining and the outcome of the match already decided. The call was later changed to a regular foul.
Lastimosa, calling the shots for NLEX with head coach Yeng Guiao still not around, wanted to confront Nicandro shortly after the game, but the lady referee quickly left the playing court along with the rest of the game officials.
That prompted the Road Warriors deputy to go directly to the technical officials and aired his disappointment.
Commissioner Willie Marcial however, said coaches going straight to the technical table after a game is a no-no.
"Malamang may fine yun," said the league chief.
Reporters waited for Lastimosa after the game to get his side, but was told the veteran mentor already left the venue earlier.
Lastimosa's frustration came in the aftermath of NLEX suffering its fifth straight loss halfway through its campaign in the conference.
Guiao, who is on vacation and missed the Road Warriors' last three games, is expected to call the shots for the team in its next outing as he and his family are set to return to the country on Sunday from their European cruise.
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