Caguioa calls refs blind, cries foul over non-calls

MANILA, Philippines – PBA reigning MVP Mark Caguioa cried foul over the non-calls in the endgame of the Brgy. Ginebra Kings’ second straight loss, their third in four starts.

The Kings blew a seven-point lead allowing the Alaska Aces to claw back and win it in the end, 102-99, Sunday night before a big crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Alaska import Wendell McKines scored near the basket off a feed from a driving Cyrus Baguio for a three-point cushion in the final 12 seconds. It was enough to tow the PBA Commissioner’s Cup champions to their second straight win after opening the season-ending Governors’ Cup with a loss to GlobalPort Batang Pier.

Brgy. Ginebra bungled two chances to tie the game with the last one – a Caguioa three-point attempt from the corner at the buzzer that had the reigning MVP pleading for a foul that fell to deaf ears.  

“Talagang makikita mo parang bulag talaga,” Caguioa told a pack of reporters referring to the last play where he took an off-balance three-point attempt with Dondon Hontiveros trailing him and McKines challenging him in front.   

“Hindi nila nakita yung travelling ni McKines nung huli,” he said referring to a play in the final minute that ended in an Alaska basket that kept them within striking distance.

“Hindi nila nakita yun at hindi rin nila nakita yung foul,” Caguioa added. “So I think, I suggest na kung hindi makita ng mga referees yung mga ganun then we should add three more referees.”

The Kings captain, who finished with 16 points, six rebounds and five assists, complained that they were not given a fair chance by the referees to win the game in the end.

“Sabi nila (refs) walang foul yun. Pero malay mo manalo pa rin sila (Alaska) kung mag-miss ako ng isang free throw. At least makita ng mga tao na kung obvious yung tawag, call it. Dahil mas madaming manonood na tao dahil aabangan nila kung masho-shoot ko or hindi,” Caguioa added.

“I’m not insulting them but I think we need one more (referee). I’d rather have, us, players deciding the game, not from the referees, not from the officials. Dahil so many games like that sila yung magde-decide eh,” Caguioa continued his rant. “I’m not talking anything bad about them. It’s just how it went.”

But it wasn’t only the non-calls that went against them which irked him. The 33-year old veteran guard lamented of what he perceived is a “sad” state of the league’s officiating.  

“Nakakainis eh. Palaging makikita mo nagagalit yung sa kabilang coach, kung hindi naman sila, dito naman [sa amin],” Caguioa said.

“In the NBA, hindi mo makikita yang mga ganun eh. They’re more cool. Dito mo lang talaga makikita na halos minumura na sila eh. Yung konti bang respeto sa mga players, and at the same time, makukuha rin nila yun,” Caguioa added.

The reigning MVP, who’s been around the league since 2001, wishes to have more veteran referees calling the game. He feels bad about the fast turnover rate of the referees in the league.

“Wala na nga ako halos kilala sa kanila (referees) eh,” Caguioa said.

“Sa NBA, makikita mo may mga matatandang referees. Gusto ko rin sana na dito sa atin may kasama rin akong tumanda na referee sa loob ng court. Parang every conference na lang may bagong referee kaya minsan ‘di mo rin mapagsabihan at maintindihan ang tawagan,” Caguioa added.