WITH only two weeks left before the 35th Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Conference begins, the coaches and team officials from various squads are looking for a fair officiating in the competitive import-laden conference.

In an interview with The Manila Times, PBA coaches who refused to be identified said the technical commission headed by consultant Romy Guevarra and assistant Ramil Cruz should improve the referees’ officiating to avoid confusion.

“Ever since there were so many questions on referees’ calls . . . They [referees] have been explaining a lot, but still nothing has changed,” said one coach. “In some games, particularly in the playoffs, quarterfinals, semifinals and in the crucial championships, most calls are not clear.”

Team officials, composed of managers and governors have encouraged the technical group to look for a clearer picture on what really is a foul or how should fouls be classified —if it is flagrant or non-intentional, travelling, or any other violation.

“It’s very confusing sometimes with the way they decide on things,” said one team official. “The basketball-loving fans are getting tired of it. I hope changes would come this conference.”

PBA Chairman Lito Alvarez, also the team governor of the Air21 Express (formerly Burger King), said the performances of the referees would be evaluated as part of the league’s program to improve the officiating.

“The league will evaluate the performance of the referees in the last conference and see what we can do to improve it more,” said Alvarez. “But there’s nothing new to it. The evaluation is being done yearly. Everybody is looking for a much better officiating this conference.”

Cases on hand

Almost two years ago, Air21 lost to San Miguel Beer when Talk ‘N Text’s Ranidel de Ocampo, who was playing for Air21 at that time, scored a go-ahead three-pointer in the last seconds, but was only counted as two by the referees.

The Express filed a protest, but was eventually junked.

Last conference, Talk ‘N Text was fined with P1 million for walking out of the game in the first quarter of play against Ginebra during their best-of-seven quarterfinals series because of a flagrant 2 foul called by the referees against Ranidel de Ocampo.

Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes had accused the referees that the Texters were not getting the fair end of the calls, based on the number of fouls slapped on them during the series, particularly in Game 4, when Ginebra was awarded with 14 free throws in the first 11 minutes.

During the Philippine Cup finals, Alaska veteran forward John Ferriols disclosed to the team’s official website alaskaaces.com.ph that the referees were so biased in their championship series against Purefoods, which swept the Aces in four games to win the title.

“All we want is fairness,” said Ferriols. “Why did Kerby [Raymundo] got a foul from [Joe] de Vance in Game 2 when it was clear that it was a soft contact only. How about Willie’s [Miller)] situation, when there was no foul called despite being hammered in the face?”

Raymundo, who attempted the final shot for Purefoods, was given two free throws after a touch foul was called on De Vance who nudged Raymundo in the dying seconds of Game 2. Raymundo split his charities to send the Giants to an 86-85 victory and a 2-0 lead.

Alaska’s Miller, who attempted the final shot for Alaska, was hammered in the face and sent sprawling to the floor by Jean Marc Pingris in the last seconds of Game 3, however no foul was called.

The Giants went on to post a 79-78 victory and a 3-0 lead. “The calls were not fair,” he said.

Source: JOSEF T. RAMOS, The Manila Times