Narvasa decides on Warriors protest today

Commissioner Chito Narvasa of the UAAP will hand down a decision on or before noon today - either to uphold or deny the protest filed by the University of the East.

Narvasa said the Warriors placed last Saturday’s game against Far Eastern University under protest due to an error on the shot clock. UE felt the error denied them a chance to win.

The Tamaraws went on to score an emotional 71-69 win that came just a day after their star forward, Mac Baracael, was shot and wounded by an unidentified assailant.

In its protest, formally received by Narvasa at 12 p.m. yesterday, UE claimed that the 24-second shot clock should have expired before FEU’s Marlon Adolfo scored underneath.

It proved to be a crucial basket that came in the final three minutes.

When the ball went into play, the shot clock read 3:29, and by the time  Adolfo made the basket it was already at 3:03, meaning more than 24 seconds had lapsed.

Officials from UE said the basket should have been nullified, and the protest letter addressed to Narvasa asked they be given “merit for what is judiciously due them.”

It was not clear whether UE is seeking a replay of the entire game, its last three minutes or a forfeiture of the FEU victory.

“We’re just waiting for the recommendation (decision) of commissioner Narvasa,” said UE board representative Bren Perez.

“There may have been a technical error but not an error by any of the referees. They (Warriors) said they were denied of the chance to win,” said Narvasa.

“Right now I cannot decide. I have to look at recent UAAP history, and I have to look at the rules of the league and the FIBA (International Basketball Federation),” he said.

Narvasa, who has PBA coaches Yeng Guiao and Alfrancis Chua as consultants, as well as his brother Ogie Narvasa and Tanny Gonzales, said his decision will come out today.

“Then UE has 24 hours to decide whether they want to contest it or not. If they do, the matter will be elevated to the UAAP board which will then have seven days or less to decide,” Narvasa said.

In placing the game under protest, UE had to pay a cash bond of P100,000. If their protest is upheld, they get the money back. Otherwise, the UAAP keeps the money.