In arguably the most entertaining game of the NCAA Season so far, the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers escaped the Arellano University Chiefs in double overtimes, 114-122, earlier at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
The game had all kinds of dramatic flair and the climax as it went down to one crucial possession during the second overtime period. With 12 ticks left during the second overtime, JRU’s Teytey Teodoro successfully splashed the controversial game-winning jumper over the outstretched arms of Arellano’s Zach Nicholls. Based on the referee’s initial call, it was counted as a three-pointer which gave JRU a 113-109 lead.
After that shot, Jiovani Jalalon calmly sank a go-ahead three-pointer to trim the JRU lead to 113-112. Arellano requested Teodoro’s shot to be reviewed via replay and it was later ruled as a two-pointer only, since Teodoro’s left foot was seen stepping inside the three-point line. However, Jalalon was forced to commit an intentional foul on JRU’s Gio Lasquety since the game officials did not review the play during the dead ball situation.
“Tiring, nakakapagod and siyempre talo. Sobrang frustrating kasi ang dami naming chance na manalo, but there was that last attempt ni Teodoro that was counted as three points pero two points lang siya,” Arellano head coach Jerry Codinera exclusively told Tiebreaker Times. “We were forced to [commit a] foul because of that judgment by the referee. If it was a tied ballgame, good defense lang kami.”
With this incident, Arellano filed a protest against the game’s officials for their lackadaisical coverage of the game’s technicalities. Codinera said that if the referees present in this game paid more attention to Teodoro’s foot when that crucial shot was attempted, then the game would go on to triple overtime and Arellano will not be forced to commit an intentional foul in order for that shot to be reviewed by the game’s officials.
“We filed a protest sa NCAA. Nagfile kami kasi stepping siya [sa line] kaya napilitan kami magfoul. Siyempre, referee’s fault din. Noong review clarong-claro,” Codinera added. “Pero on the part of the referee, sabi ko nga, what’s the distinction of class A referee and class B referee kung ang stepping hindi mo makita? Mali pala sila ng tinitingnan kasi hindi sila tumingin sa guhit. Buti na lang may rewind kasi crucial ang game na ito sa amin. I’m sure naman makikita ng committee iyon.”
The management of Arellano University will have to pay Php 10,000 for the filing process.
