Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero came to the defense of his wards, saying they were only ‘physical’ and not ‘dirty’ in the heated Game 4 of the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup best-of-seven Finals, Wednesday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Victolero’s answer comes at the heels of Alaska mentor Alex Compton’s comment about the ‘dirty basketball’ that marred the Aces’ 90-76 Game 4 win.
“Sabi lang niya yun.
“That’s physical. Both players naman nag-play hard eh. I think walang masama dun. Ang ano lang niyan is we need to stay tough,” rued Victolero.
In the 2:40 mark of the fourth period when the Aces were leading 78-69, Chris Banchero fell down in agony due to a suspected hit on the groin from Mark Barroca.
Compton called it ‘dirty basketball’, especially with the non-call on the said play.
For Victolero, however, the lack of a call is beyond their control, and Compton’s outrage is unnecessary.
“Sabi lang niya yun. Hindi naman siya referee eh, coach siya.
“It’s beyond our control,” he added. “The referees will decide what’s a foul, what’s a flagrant foul, and what’s not. The coaches, hindi yan magde-decide.”
And regarding Barroca’s suspected low blow, Victolero also said they are not expecting a suspension.
“Hindi namin ine-expect yang suspensions, kasi both players naman are doing their job. Kung sila lang papayagan ng referees, hindi naman tama yun. The referees are doing their job. If we keep on complaining baka hindi na matapos ‘tong series na ‘to.”
As per Commissioner Willie Marcial, the PBA technical committee will still review the play and will release the verdict tomorrow.
Marcial summoned Banchero and Barroca to the Commissioner’s Office right after the game.
