ANTIPOLO – Phoenix Pulse coach Louie Alas has called on the PBA for drastic measures to improve its officiating, frustrated once again by, he claimed, the number of missed calls against his team in Sunday’s Commissioner’s Cup match at the Ynares Center.
Alas said he has gone frustrated the referees continue to make the same mistakes all over again, and Sunday’s match where Phoenix Pulse lost, 114-88, was no different.
Alas made it clear he is not sourgraping as he already told technical head Eric Castro about his sentiments towards officiating.
“Sabi ko nga kay Eric, you can put me on record, I have nothing against officiating. I know honest kayong lahat. Pero paulit-ulit ang turo at hindi natututunan, I have to make some drastic action. Masakit man gawin, pero kapag hindi natututo, dapat palitan na.
“Walang problema sa integrity. I know honest mistake. Pero kung paulit-ulit na mistake, I don’t know. Araw araw kayong nagtetraining, wala naman kayong pagkukulang pero hindi lang naman ako ang nagrereklamo,” said Alas.
Alas mentioned an incident with Calvin Abueva and RR Pogoy in which Pogoy stumbled on the court by what appeared to be a trip by Abueva. Referees whistled on the play although replays showed Abueva didn’t trip Pogoy.
Referees later said it was an inadvertent whistle.
Alas' statements came after Sunday's game in which he was ejected along with David Semerad, Anthony Semerad, and Jason Perkins for a fracas early in the first quarter. TNT consultant Mark Dickel and Calvin Abueva were also tossed for two separate incidents.
Alas said the PBA should make an investment on officiating.
“Minsan, nagsosorry lang pero kung paulit-ulit ang sorry, walang mangyayari diyan. Napakalaki nitong PBA. Napakagandang institution. Mag-invest tayo ng maganda dito. Isang investment natin is officiating. Doon tayo mag-invest para mas lalong gumanda,” said Alas.
Alas even suggested to send international referees to call the games of the PBA only so that officiating can improve. Alas added improving the officiating of the games could also improve the gate attendance of the league.
“Gagastos tayo ng malaki pero sasabihin ko sa inyo, kung gusto bumalik ‘yung audience natin uli. Sayang ‘yung liga natin. Napakalaki tapos magpe-prepare ang mga coaches at matatalo ka lang sa ganyang sitwasyon. I’m not saying this game. ‘Yung mga previous games,” Alas said.
“Marami tayong magagaling na referee pero marami ring hindi pupuwede,” Alas added.
Meantime, Alas reiterated his belief that David Semerad flopped, a move that led to his ejection.
“Ganin pala ako kalakas. My God. Dun na ako sa Avengers. Anyway, I’m just trying to separate him from Calvin. ‘Yung nangyayaring commotion doon, hindi naman siya kasali. Sineseparate ko lang kay Calvin. Hindi ko alam na ganun ako kalakas.”
“Next time, I will be better than my emotion,” said Alas.
The Semerad twins declined to comment on the incident.
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