TNT KaTropa was left without its import Joshua Smith in the final three minutes of Game One - and the latter isn't happy about it.
Smith finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals, but was reduced into a spectator in the game's final 3:39 minutes after he was called for his sixth and last foul in a rebound battle against June Mar Fajardo.
TNT eventually lost, 121-110, after blowing a 23-point lead and Smith readily rued the way the game was called.
“Refs got to let me play, man," the hulking import said.
When asked if he felt some of the calls were questionable, Smith answered: “That’s an understatement.”
“Some of those calls, I fouled them. I’m a basketball player but… I got to go,” said Smith in a calm manner.
Smith now looks ahead to Game Two of the best-of-three series on Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum and the TNT import is hoping for a reprieve after the Game One collapse.
“In the PBA, it’s kind of a curse when you are up 20. A lot of teams are up 20, a lot of basketball teams are able to come back. We just have to get to practice and get ready for Game Two. Win or go home,” said Smith.
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