CHICAGO - The predicament Rain Or Shine found itself in last Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo evoke memories of the famous words from the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield.
"I don't get any respect."
That's the vibe the Elasto Painters felt toward the officiating crew who whistled so many fouls against them that the referees might have developed a mild case of mumps.
READ Guiao rues 'borderline' fouls called on ROS, 43 Meralco free throws
In its 122-111 victory, Meralco was generously awarded 43 free throws compared to Rain Or Shine's 32. The plus 13 edge in free throws made unfairly decided the game's outcome.
"As close as the game is and you are able to go to the free-throw line 43 times mahirap kang talunin talaga kung ganun," RoS head coach Yeng Guiao told SPIN.ph.
ABSOLUTELY NOT. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO DISAGREE WITH COACH YENG.
And here's the insult to the injury: More than a handful of the fouls assessed against his boys were based on incidental contact. Apparently, it's a penalty to get too close to a Meralco player and play defense.
The electric company doesn't need any help from the refs because the Bolts are already very good. Loaded with veterans, they have several max players and a great active consultant in Nenad Vucinic, who's running that outfit at an extremely high level.
Just because they don't have a lot of star players in their lineups and they are not necessarily big box brands, independent teams seem to be discriminated against by the men in zebra stripes.
And that needs to change. But considering how the PBA hasacted lately, I don't think Rain Or Shine should hold its breath.
IMPORT SWITCH LOOMING?
When the Magnolia Hotshots replaced a highly-efficient Glenn Robinson III for Shabazz Muhammad in the past Governors' Cup, the team's record prior to the switch was 3-2.
Coach Chito Victolero must have felt that a shining star can light the darkness of a crushing six-year title drought. Sadly it didn't work as Shabazz's tenure was followed by two other import changes.
After a 107-103 defeat at the hands of NorthPort on Wednesday, Magnolia has fallen to 1-2 to start the Commissioner's Cup.
Ricardo Ratliffe was shockingly below average tonight with 10 points and 13 rebounds while missing eight of 12 shots.
I have four theories why Ratliffe played so awful versus the Batang Pier - He's an old 35. He's washed out. He's injured. Or, he just doesn't want to be there.
What would coach Chito do?
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