PBA chief orders probe on refs

PBA commissioner Noli Eala ordered yesterday the league’s technical chief Perry Martinez to conduct an investigation on the referees who worked the Talk n Text-Shell game Sunday marred by dubious calls and non-calls at endgame.

To be summoned are referees Mario Montiel, Joey Calungcaguin and Throngy Aldava.

"We’re not taking anything away from Talk n Text. They deserved to win but I feel the referees decided the game, which they shouldn’t have," said Eala.

Meanwhile, the Asi Taulava issue was not tackled during the PBA board meeting last night, keeping the controversial player out of the TnT roster when the Phone Pals face the San Miguel Beermen in Game One of the best-of-seven finals on Friday.

Fans have been hoping that Taulava would finally be able to suit up in the finals after being cleared by both the Department of Justice and Bureau of Immigration on his citizenship issue recently. But the TnT management didn’t ask for his reinstatement during the board meeting last night.

"There was no new formal request on his case coming from the parties," said Eala.

This developed as Ely Capacio’s (San Miguel) was named the next league chairman, succeeding Buddy Encarnado (Sta. Lucia).

Capacio will formally sit as Board chairman July 16. Elected vice-chairman was Ricky Vargas of Talk n Text while Red Bull’s Tony Chua was named treasurer.

The chairman has a one-year term and will be replaced next year by the vice-chairman.

Eala and Martinez admitted there was one particular wrong call that later became the turning point of the game, involving Ajani Williams who incurred his sixth foul on an offensive infraction against Jerald Honeycutt with Shell down by three points and the time down to 1:33.

In the slow-motion replay, Williams appeared not to have done anything to be given a personal foul. Instead, Honeycutt got away without an infraction despite hammering Williams’ hand on a low-post play.

The Turbochargers crumbled on Williams’ exit, and the Phone Pals scored a 96-91 overtime win that sent them to the Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Cup Finals against the San Miguel Beermen.

The incident didn’t sit well with Shell governor and team manager Bobby Kanapi who later blasted the officials.

"We paid a million bucks to train them and they decide the game in the last minute. It’s ridiculous. They should be investigated," said Kanapi.

Eala also admitted it was a crucial call to make since it "became the turning point of the game."

Shell actually had a chance to win the game on regulation after an amazing chase from 19 points down but Williams blew it by taking a step-back jumper when he could have attacked the basket with the Phone Pals in penalty situation.

Talk n Text also blew away a chance to win on regulation with Willie Miller unable to field a fastbreak pass by Jimmy Alapag with the time ticking to its final seconds.

Miller finished the game despite suffering a fractured nose bridge courtesy of a wayward elbow by Ronald Tubid. The national team hopeful was to undergo operation yesterday but will still play in the finals with a protective facemask.

The Talk n Text-San Miguel best-of-seven finale begins with Game One Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.