By: Joaquin Cortez
Nash Racela was left frustrated after Adamson University’s 69-67 loss to the University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, questioning the officiating on the game’s final possession.
The Adamson head coach wanted the officials to review the closing sequence after guard Monty Montebon missed a potential game-winning shot from beyond half court, alleging that UP’s Dikachi Ududo was pulling on Montebon’s jersey as he attempted the heave.
Racela also questioned whether the whistle sounded before or after the final buzzer, saying that, from his vantage point, a referee appeared to signal a three-point foul on the play.
Had the foul been called, Montebon could have been awarded three free throws, giving the Falcons a chance to overcome their two-point deficit and snatch the victory. However, Adamson was not granted the review it sought, as the officials signaled the end of the game.
“Well, the final sequence … we asked for a review, and we really heard a whistle. And may referee na may sumenyas,” Racela said.
“We watched the replay, and Ududo was all over Montebon. So amin naman, the minimal thing that they could have done was just to really review it. Kung sabi nila hindi, edi hindi. Then, nag-walk-out na sila. They never gave us a chance in the end.”
Racela also suggested that the referees’ audio recordings could help clarify what transpired during the final possession, although he remained uncertain whether Adamson had grounds to formally protest the decision.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“May option ba kami? I don’t know if we have options, but we heard something,” Racela said.
“I think ’yung commissioner’s office can review it kasi may mic ang mga referees nila. Sabi nila, ’di nag-whistle. I think it’s their responsibility to at least review it.”
The controversial finish added another chapter to the recent history between the two teams, recalling their meeting in Season 88 when Adamson prevailed over UP, 62-59.
In that game, the Soaring Falcons played with only four players on the court against UP’s five for 20 seconds in the closing minute, with the score tied at 57-all, before eventually securing the victory.
Wednesday’s defeat was particularly costly for Adamson, which squandered a 13-point second-half lead and slipped from third place into a four-way tie for fourth with De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, and the University of Santo Tomas. All four teams now hold identical 3-3 records.
Despite the disappointing finish, Racela praised his players’ effort against the Fighting Maroons, who escaped with the victory.
“I told the boys that I was very proud of them because UP survived today,” he said.
“I think UP played one hell of a defense without committing a single foul in the fourth quarter. So I need to study that.”
