PHILIPPINE Army coach Rico De Guzman was frustrated with match officiating, saying questionable calls prevented the Lady Troopers from mounting a comeback against PLDT on Sunday in the second match of the Shakey’s V-League Open Conference best-of-three finals.
De Guzman said a few of the calls came at crucial moments of the match.
One call that De Guzman and the rest of the team particularly didn’t like was during the fourth set at 17-11 when Rachel Anne Daquis’ attack was called out. Army argued it was check-ball and after a conference between match officials, the point eventually went to the Lady Troopers.
Army also earlier protested an attack by Valdez down the line that the Lady Troopers believed should have been out.
“Unti-unti na kaming nagkakaroon ng momentum pero nagkakaroon ng calls na hindi mo masabi kung tama o mali,” said De Guzman.
Even PLDT Home Ultera coach Roger Gorayeb agreed that there were some questionable calls in the match including that one in the fourth set involving Daquis.
“Minsan may mga mestisong tawag. Meron namang legit na ayaw aminin nung nag-eerror sa kabila pero legit,” said Gorayeb.
“Tingin ko check ball din ‘yun,” said Gorayeb, referring the call late in the fourth set. “(Pero) lamang ako. Anong pagwawala ko dun? Lamang naman ako ng six points. Masama ‘yun kung 18-all tapos magmemestiso ang tawag. Kung nalito kayo, eh di i-deadball mo pero ‘wag mong paboran ‘yung isa.”
Still, De Guzman said officiating alone wasn’t the reason why Army lost.
“’Yung blocking at floor defense namin ng Game One lumabas. Pero ngayon, nawala lahat. Isa rin ’yun sa dahilan kung bakit kami natalo,” said De Guzman
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