THE PBA Commissioner's Office on Friday debunked Chot Reyes' claim of 'double standard' in the application of league rules after getting slapped with a technical foul in TNT's win over Rain or Shine on Wednesday night.
Vented against the officiating at the end of TNT's 111-103 win over ROS in the Philippine Cup, Reyes rued why he got a T for entering the court during a dead ball to contest a call when other coaches like Tim Cone get away with it.
READ Chot rues 'double standard' after getting a T for entering court
“Sinasabi ko, there are games when the other coaches, [like] Tim Cone, they cross, nandoon na sila sa technical committee, bakit hindi nila ma-technical?” said the former national coach.
“I think what he got was a warning. I told the referees, 'Akala ko puwede rin sa akin ‘yun?' Hindi ako nagmura. It was a deadball. And I didn’t go half as far as the other coaches did. I was just there, medyo nasa halfcourt ako. But I expected at least a warning.
“What I was lamenting is the double standard. If they say bawal magreklamo at bawal pumasok, bawal pumasok maski sino ka. Basta pumasok ka, technical foul ka. I’ll accept that. But if the others can do it, and then sa akin, hindi puwede?" he continued.
When sought for comment, PBA officials led by Commissioner Willie Marcial said the rules are clear when it comes to coaches' complaints during games and referees are consistent in dealing with such cases.
The officials pointed out that coaches like Cone enter the court during timeouts to complain, and therefore are given more latitude, while Reyes stormed to the court while the game was in progress, so was slapped with a technical.
Are the rules the same in a dead-ball situation?
"Yes," said the commissioner, adding the matter was explained to Reyes in a conversation. "Kahit na dead ball, considered game in progress pa rin."
Will Reyes be penalized for the rant?
"We'll see," he said.
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